About this Artist

Bill Summers is a New Orleans-based multi-instrumentalist and producer. The Detroit native studied classical piano but morphed into a percussionist as he came of age. Summers has served on the forefront of the jazz fusion movement and is best known for his work with Herbie Hancock and The Headhunters, which he has co-led since 1975. He recorded eight albums with his own band, Summers Heat, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and had hits with the singles “Straight to the Bank” and “Call It What You Want.” He has recorded 10 releases with Hancock, starting with Head Hunters in 1973 and the 1998 Hancock Records album Return of The Headhunters. He has recorded and performed with a slew of musical greats, including Eddie Henderson, David “Fathead” Newman, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Anita Baker, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Jay-Z, Barry White, Jill Scott, and Prince. Summers has also worked extensively in film, most notably with Quincy Jones on the soundtracks to Roots, The Wiz, and The Color Purple. In recent years, he has developed educational programs to study sacred drumming in Cuba and the New Orleans-based Klub K.I.D., a program to educate young people about music traditions.