The Headhunters presented by WDCB

Formed in 1973, The Headhunters are one of the foundations of jazz and funk music, known for their iconic best-selling recordings released in the mid-1970s. The ensemble continues to impress at their live shows and with their album releases today. While 50 years of recording and touring has not included Herbie regularly, his influence is always informing The Headhunters co-leaders and best friends Mike Clark and Bill Summers, who carry forward the legacy with timeless, paradigm-shifting classics: Watermelon Man, Chameleon, Butterfly, Sly and Palm Grease to just name a few. The Headhunters latest recording Live at Garcias Chicago (out everywhere October 24th, 2025) is a reflection of the bands 50 year breadth, depth and innovation. The album captures an electric live performance at the new state of the art listening room Garcias in Chicagos vibrant West Loop with Clark and Summers at the helm.The albums A side opens with the bands perennial jam 4 String Drive, followed by the 2024 original composition The Stunt Man before tracks Warrior Suite and Watermelon Man root the album in the spirituality that Baba Bill has infused in The Headhunters since day one in 1973. Side B includes a modern funk rendition of Bob Marleys classic I Shot the Sheriff followed by covers of Thelonious Monks Monks Dream and Chick Coreas Humpty Dumpty then morphs into an extended drum and percussion conversation called Headhunters Drums to round out the eight song LP. Catch the band on the road in 2026 featuring co-leaders Summers and Clark along with New Orleans veterans Severin, Clarence Johnson and Shea Pierre.