In a concert at the recently opened Cavatina Hall, he will be joined by a star-studded lineup of Terence Blanchard (trumpet), James Genus (bass), Lionel Loueke (guitar), and Jaylen Petinaud (drums).
The event is the highlight of the summer edition of the annual Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa Festival.
Its director Jerzy Batycki told the media: "We're honoured that Poland is the starting point for Herbie Hancock's European tour marking his 85th birthday."
From Bielsko-Biała, the tour’s itinerary will take Hancock to Paris, Hamburg, Munich, Essen, Rotterdam, Rome, London, Madrid and Copenhagen, among other venues.
Described by The Washington Post as "today’s greatest living jazz artist," Hancock started as a child prodigy performing a Mozart piano concerto with an orchestra at the age of 11.
He has developed a spectacular career in jazz and R&B both as a solo performer and a member of the Miles Davis Quintet and The Headhunters.
He is also known for his film scores, with his first soundtrack composed for Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 movie Blow-Up.
In 1986, the soundtrack for Round Midnight won him an Oscar.
In 2011, Hancock was designated a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of his services to "the promotion of peace through dialogue, culture and the arts."
His honours include the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In previous years, Bielska Zadymka Jazzowa attracted stars such as Wayne Shorter, Hank Jones, Charlie Haden, Joe Lovano, Dave Doulgas, Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Pat Metheny, David Murray, John Patitucci, Ahmad Jamal and Benny Golson.
(mk/gs)