Herbie Hancock to receive the prestigious 2025 Polar Music Prize
He'll pick up the honour at a ceremony in Sweden
American jazz legend Herbie Hancock has been named among the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Polar Music Prize.
Honouring excellence in music, Swedish international award The Polar Music Prize was established in 1989 by late ABBA publicist, lyricist and manager Stig Anderson, who also co-founded the Swedish record company Polar Music.
Herbie Hancock will become a Polar Music Prize Laureate at a ceremony at the Grand Hôtel in Stockholm on Thursday 27th May.
Also being awarded the Polar Music Prize this year are British rock legends Queen and Canadian soprano and conductor Barbara Hannigan.
Speaking to Jazz FM Breakfast this morning, Herbie told Nigel Williams he was shocked, saying "so many of my friends and people I admire have been recipients of this award before and it never crossed my mind that I'd be selected for this, so I feel deeply honoured and humbled."
The 84-year-old added: “The Polar Music Prize is a prestigious honour, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be a recipient. The Laureates who have come before me have left an indelible mark on humanity through their profound examples of inspiration and dedication.”
Each Polar Music Prize recipient is awarded a prize of one million Swedish Krona (around £74,000).
Marie Ledin, managing director of the Polar Music Prize, added: “It is our immense privilege to honour and award these three Laureates at the 2025 Polar Music Prize.
“Herbie Hancock is a musical legend and tour de force. His music has pushed boundaries in jazz, funk soul and R&B, and we are thrilled to honour his enduring legacy."
Previous Polar Music Prize laureates include Sting, Wayne Shorter, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, BB King and Angelique Kidjo.
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