Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock - Transcription & Performance

In this video we look at Herbie Hancock’s popular composition “Watermelon Man” with a drum transcription of the first 68 bars, originally played by Billy Higgins. “Watermelon Man” is an important piece of jazz history, both because of its groove and because it was Hancock’s first commercial success. Written in 1962 and included on his debut album Takin’ Off, the track underscores Hancock’s ability to combine commercial appeal with artistic integrity. “Watermelon Man” was inspired by Hancock’s childhood memories of a watermelon vendor in Chicago whose horse-drawn wagon rolled along the cobbled streets, creating a unique rhythm. This rhythmic pattern formed the basis for the groove of the song. The song was intended to appeal to a wider audience and mixed jazz with elements of soul, R&B and funk. This fusion of styles helped make “Watermelon Man” a jukebox favorite and a commercial success for Blue Note Records. Billy Higgins, a drummer known for his work in bebop and hard