What influence do you think jazz has on current music trends?
Jazz has an enormous influence on modern music, because the roots of so many of the new styles are in pure jazz. Creative DJs who understand jazz and its influences use jazz compositions as the basis for many of their techno remixes, which means that jazz transcends generations and trends in music.

The Imagine Project brought together some of the greatest musicians currently performing in the world. How did you pull that off?
I have always been inspired by the words of Imagine, so I brought together a whole lot of people who were too, and it took two years to record and our message is that collaboration breaks down barriers between cultures and music is the perfect medium.

What modern day artist would you most like to work with?
Justin Bieber! He is so extremely talented and he was on tour at the same time as us in Australia and the fans were going crazy and the media was full of rave reviews. I was looking forward to working with Elton John on The Imagine Project, but he was taken ill and couldn’t make the gig. I look forward to the next opportunity to work with that brilliant man. Peter Gabriel is also on my wish list, and I am sure we will get together soon.

We understand you are a devotee of the Nichiren school of Mahayana Buddhism. What draws you to Buddhism? 
I was introduced to Buddhism through a fellow bass musician and I immediately realised that the values of the Lord Buddha were very much part of my lifestyle already, even outside of my music. There is not a day that goes by that something new is not revealed to me through Buddhist teachings, so therefore being in Thailand will be a profoundly spiritual and uplifting experience for me.

You have performed in Thailand many times. What draws you back?
Thailand is such a spiritual country, and I can’t get enough of the enthusiasm of the audiences, their musical knowledge and appreciation, their warmth… and don’t forget the food!

Herbie Hancock will perform live on May 8, 8pm, at Royal Paragon Hall. Tickets are from B1,200-B4,500 and available now at www.thaiticketmajor.com.