Herbie Hancock played Mozart with the Chicago Symphony at 11. Joined Miles Davis at 23 -- the Second Great Quintet with Wayne Shorter and Ron Carter and Tony Williams -- and spent the next 60 years refusing to be one thing. Maiden Voyage. Cantaloupe Island. Then Head Hunters in 1973 -- Chameleon, Watermelon Man -- an album so funky it became the best-selling jazz record of its era.

Then Rockit in 1983 -- a scratch-DJ electro-funk record that won a Grammy and introduced turntablism to mainstream America. Then a Joni Mitchell tribute that won Album of the Year. 14 Grammys. An Academy Award. A Kennedy Center honor. Herbie doesn't cross genres. He renders the categories obsolete.

He's still touring, still collaborating, still finding new sounds. The kid who played Mozart at 11 is in his 80s now and still curious. Head Hunters is still one of the funkiest records ever made. Chameleon is still 15 minutes of groove that hip-hop hasn't finished mining.

Herbie Hancock -- Miles's pianist, then Head Hunters, then Rockit. 14 Grammys. He doesn't cross genres. He obliterates them.