Jazz visionary Herbie Hancock [ tickets ] will launch an international tour next month to support his latest Grammy-winning album, "River: The Joni Letters."

The keyboardist/composer will kick things off May 23 at the Sonoma, CA, International Jazz Festival and play gigs across the US and into Canada through mid-August. Stops include the Playboy Jazz Fest in Hollywood, CA, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival in Ontario and the Newport Jazz Festival in Rhode Island. Details are listed below. A full European tour is expected to follow, with another batch of US dates in the works for later this year, according to Hancock's website.

On the road, Hancock will be joined by bassist Dave Holland, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, saxophonist Chris Potter and guitarist Lionel Loueke, as well as guest vocalists including Sonya Kitchell and Amy Keys.

Hancock managed quite an upset at this year's Grammy Awards ceremony when he and his September release, "River: The Joni Letters," beat out Kanye West, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters and Vince Gill to win Album of the Year. The 13-song set is a tribute to Joni Mitchell and features guest vocalists including Tina Turner, Norah Jones, Corinne Bailey Rae, Luciana Souza, Leonard Cohen and Mitchell herself.

Hancock enlisted the help of Mitchell's longtime producer and creative partner, Larry Klein, in arranging and producing the album, which is described as a blend of jazz, funk and soul.

Fans can see Hancock and Mitchell collaborate on stage for the first time during a Nissan Live Sets performance that is streaming at the Yahoo! Music website.

Meanwhile, Hancock is getting an early start on 2009 with plans to perform on the inaugural Playboy Jazz Cruise, which leaves from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Jan. 25 and sails to San Juan, Nevis, St. Barths and Half Moon Cay.