Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang

The classical megastar, Lang Lang, and iconic jazz pianist, Herbie Hancock, pair up in concert for an inaugural world tour. Following their wildly successful 2008 Grammy highlight performance of "Rhapsody in Blue," it seemed only natural that the pair would bring their unique backgrounds to an even greater collaboration on the world stage. The two pianists kick of this unprecedented tour at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland on July 5th and will play in France, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Italy and across the U.S.

Lang Lang and Herbie will be performing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," in arrangement for two pianos and orchestra, Vaughan-Williams "Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra" conducted by John Axelrod. This program will also showcase solo, duo and four-hand repertoire for pianos.

Heralded as the "hottest artist on the classical music planet" by the New York Times, 26-year-old Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world and is the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic and the top American orchestras. In August 2008, over 5 billion people viewed Lang Lang's performance in the 2008 Beijing Olympic opening ceremony. He has played with the world's best orchestras and with the most renowned conductors.

Herbie Hancock is a true icon of modern music with an illustrious career spanning five decades and 12 Grammy® Awards. He began playing piano at the age of seven years old and later won the attention of the legendary Miles Davis, joining his band from 1963-1968. Hancock was one of the first jazz musicians to embrace the use of synthesizers and explore funk, resulting in many cross over successes like "Cantaloupe Island", "Watermelon Man", "Chameleon" and "Rockit." His 2007 album, "River: The Joni Letters" won the 2008 Grammy Award for Album of the Year, only the second time a jazz album has won the award.

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