"Watermelon Man" | |
---|---|
Instrumental by Herbie Hancock | |
from the album Takin' Off | |
Released | 1962 |
Genre | |
Length | 7:09 |
Label | Blue Note |
Songwriter(s) | Herbie Hancock |
Producer(s) | Alfred Lion |
"Watermelon Man" is a jazz standard written by Herbie Hancock for his debut album, Takin' Off (1962).
Hancock's first version was recorded in a hard bop style, featuring solos by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and saxophonist Dexter Gordon.[1] A single release reached the Top 100 of the Billboard pop charts. Afro-Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaría subsequently released a version which became a surprise hit, reaching No. 10 on the pop chart.[2] Santamaría's recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. Hancock later recorded a funk version of "Watermelon Man" for the album Head Hunters (1973).[1]