Stranded in the house last weekend, after both of my cars were vandalized, I finally caught Herbie Hancock: Possibilities, a movie about a collaboration project between Hancock and a number of contemporary musicians. If you are unfamiliar with Hancock’s work you owe it to yourself to watch this film. Similar to movies like Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures and The Last Waltz, this is a unique chance to catch a rare glimpse of brilliant artists at work.

I have heard Possibilities (the album) before and did not find it terribly appealing. In fact many records Herbie Hancock put out over the course of his career are less than impressive. Hancock’s brilliance is not in perfect spot-on consistency and execution, however. He has managed to generate a staggering amount of material over the years, some of it truly awful, some out of this world brilliant. Most important, it’s always innovative and sometimes groundbreaking.

Best parts of the film are biographical. Rare footage from Hancock’s twenties when he first joined the Miles Davis’ 2nd quintet where he learned free form jazz expression. Hancock describing the effect Rockit (w/ Grandmaster D.ST) had on early b-boy, hip-hop and turntablism movements which was one of the first music videos I saw when I was living behind the iron curtain. Live appearance at Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Clips showing Hancock the technophile with the original Moog, ancient music synth/computer rig and the psychedelic Chameleon performance from the Headhunters years.

The parts involving Christina Aguelera, John Mayer, Paul Simon and Carlos Santana are much less interesting, but sessions with other musicians are decidedly better, like the jazz reworking of "Sister Moon" with Sting featuring Lionel Loueke, an amazing jazz guitarist I’ve not heard of before; the fusion of roots, jazz, funk and soul in the session with Johnny Lang and Joss Stone; Hancock making bleepy noises with Brian Eno; the stoned beyond belief Trey Anastasio from Phish and a great session with the "more talented than Damien Rice" Lisa Hannigan.

I am a long time Hancock fan and after watching Possibilities I am more impressed with him than ever. Hancock began his career as a musical prodigy, playing his first classical solo with Chicago Symphony when he was just 11, and over time became one of the more important artists of all time influencing a wildly varied range of musical genres, including jazz, progressive rock, funk, hip-hop and electronic music. In the movie, Hancock the person comes across, as artists rarely do, like a human being. Humble, intelligent, genuinely spiritual, entirely unaware of his own importance. Someone you actually want to know.

Did I see Gina Gershon playing jew’s harp during the credits? Very odd.