Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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‘Watermelon Man’ is one of jazz pianist Herbie Hancock’s best-known compositions. Originally written for his 1962 Takin’ Off album, it was revisited in 1973 by Herbie and his jazz-funk group The Headhunters for the album of the same name. This version of the song - which is performed in this video – features an inventive bass part built around tenths, from bassist Paul Jackson.

I performed the line using a '72 Fender Jazz Bass strung with old strings. The tone control on the bass was turned all the way down.

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