Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock (born April 12, 1940) is an American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, composer and actor. He started his career with Donald Byrd. He then joined the Miles Davis Quintet. Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section. He was one of the main architects of the post-bop sound. He was also one of the first jazz musicians to embrace synthesizers and funk music.