The Headhunters are set to release their new studio album, The Stunt Man, on Ropeadope Records on October 11, 2024. The album was recorded in August 2023 at the legendary Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. Featuring seven tracks, the album showcases the genre-bending repertoire of this 50-year-old ensemble, co-led by original members Bill Summers on percussion and Mike Clark on drums.
Summers and Clark, who played on Herbie Hancock’s seminal albums Head Hunters, Thrust, Flood, and Man-Child, have continued their unique musical partnership over the decades. The current lineup also includes Donald Harrison on saxophone, Kyle Roussel on keys, and Chris Severin on bass. The album was produced by Mike Clark, Bill Summers, and Hyde Street resident engineer Chris McGrew.
The album kicks off with the funky, synth-driven title track "The Stunt Man," which will be released as a single on August 16th. Other originals include "Sand Castle Headhunters," written by Harrison, and "Attitude of Gratitude," written by Roussel. The album also features reimagined versions of two timeless jazz standards: "Embraceable You" by George Gershwin and "ESP" by Wayne Shorter. Clark takes center stage on the jazz drum track "Avant Clark," while fellow Ropeadope label mates Forward Back join the band for a hip-hop collaboration on "New Levels - New Devils," which closes the album.
The Headhunters will embark on a tour to support the album, starting June 22nd at the Aspen Jazz Experience and continuing across the US and Europe through the fall. Stay tuned for more information on the limited edition vinyl release and additional content from The Headhunters and Ropeadope.
Tracklisting:
The Stunt Man
Attitude Of Gratitude
Embraceable You
ESP
Avant Clark
Sand Castle Headhunters
New Levels - New Devils (feat. Forward Back)
Tour Dates:
- Saturday, June 22nd - Aspen @ Aspen Jazz Experience
- Tuesday, July 23rd - Bologna @ Bologna Jazz Festival
- Thursday, July 25th - Birkenhead @ Futureyard
- Friday, July 26th - London @ Ronnie Scott's
- Saturday, July 27th - London @ Ronnie Scott's
- Wednesday, September 11th - Washington, DC @ The Hamilton
- Thursday, September 12th - New York City @ Times Square Live (5:00 to 6:30 set)
- Tuesday, September 17th - Seattle @ Jazz Alley
- Wednesday, September 18th - Seattle @ Jazz Alley
- Thursday, September 19th - Portland @ The Get Down
- Saturday, September 21st - Eugene @ Jazz Station
- Saturday, September 28th - Norfolk, VA @ American Theatre
- Tuesday, October 8th - Oslo @ Cosmopolite
- Wednesday, October 9th - Helsinki @ On The Rocks
- Thursday, October 10th - Copenhagen @ Loppen
- Saturday, October 12th - Stockholm @ Stockholm Jazz Festival
- Monday, October 14th - Berlin @ Gretchen
- Tuesday, October 15th - Milan @ Blue Note
- Wednesday, October 16th - Eeklo, Belgium @ Musik Club n9
- Friday, October 18th - Paris @ New Morning Club
- Saturday, October 19th - Warsaw @ Jassmine
For more information, please visit Ropeadope Records.
