Claude Driskett Hopkins 1903

Pianista, direttore d’orchestra, compositore e arrangiatore statunitense (Alexandria, Virginia, 24.8.1903 - New York, 19.2.1984). Comincia a suonare il piano a sette anni e compie studi musicali al conservatorio di Washington. Laureato alla Howard University, debutta come professionista ad Atlantic City, nell’estate del 1924, con una propria formazione; trasferitosi a New York fa parte dell’orchestra del clarinettista Wilbur Sweatman e poi forma un proprio gruppo.

Con la sua orchestra accompagna in Europa la Revue Negre e Josephine Baker (1925-26). Tornato a New York continua la sua carriera di direttore d’orchestra fino al 1942, suonando fra l’altro al Coconut Grove, al Savoy (1930), al Roseland Ballroom (1931-34) e al Cotton Club (1934-36). Dal 1937 al 1942 è per la maggior parte del tempo in tournée con l’orchestra.

Durante la guerra, nel 1943, lavora come ispettore della fabbrica di aerei Eastern Aircraft, nel New Jersey, pur non cessando di occuparsi di musica. Nel 1944 riforma la sua orchestra e suona in vari club di New York fino al 1946. Nel 1947 dirige un quintetto che poi diverrà un sestetto nel 1950.

A partire dal 1954 suona regolarmente con Henry Allen, alla fine degli anni ’50 con Herman Autrey, nel 1960 col clarinettista Sol Yaged. Dal 1960 al 1966 dirige piccole formazioni e dal 1967 al 1969 suona con i Jazz Giants di Wild Bill Davison. Negli anni ’70 si esibisce in numerosi festival e viene in Europa con Earle Warren e Dicky Wells.

Uomo d’orchestra, dirige una delle migliori formazioni dell’epoca swing, dal sound più vivace e dallo swing più nervoso, ancora vicina a Fats Waller e allo spirito hot. Con lui hanno suonato eccellenti solisti (fra i più stabili figurano Fernando Arbello, e Edmund Hall, Ma anche Vic Dickenson e Jabbo Smith). Il pianismo di Hopkins, leggero e limpidissimo, si rifà ai pianisti stride, in una parola melodioso ma sempre swingante.
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[J.P.A.]

American pianist, conductor, composer, and arranger (Alexandria, Virginia, 24.8.1903 - New York, 19.2.1984). He began playing the piano at the age of seven and completed his musical studies at the Washington Conservatory. A graduate of Howard University, he made his professional debut in Atlantic City in 1924 with his training; he moved to New York and joined the orchestra of clarinetist Wilbur Sweatman and later formed his group.

With his orchestra, he accompanies the Revue Negre and Josephine Baker (1925-26) in Europe. Back in New York, he continued his career as a conductor until 1942, playing among other things at Coconut Grove, Savoy (1930), Roseland Ballroom (1931-34), and Cotton Club (1934-36). From 1937 to 1942, he was most of the time on tour with the orchestra.

In 1943, he worked as an inspector of the Eastern Aircraft aircraft factory in New Jersey, while not ceasing to be involved in music. In 1944 he reformed his orchestra and plays in various clubs in New York until 1946. In 1947 he directed a quintet, which later became a sextet in 1950.

From 1954 he played regularly with Henry Allen, in the late 1950s with Herman Autrey, in 1960 with the clarinetist Sol Yaged. From 1960 to 1966, he directed small bands, and from 1967 to 1969, he played with Wild Bill Davison's Jazz Giants. In the 1970s, he performed in numerous festivals and came to Europe with Earle Warren and Dicky Wells.

Orchestra man conducts one of the best ensembles of the swing era, with a more lively sound and a more nervous swing, still close to Fats Waller and the hot spirit. With him, they played excellent soloists (among the most stable are Fernando Arbello, and Edmund Hall, but also Vic Dickenson and Jabbo Smith). Hopkins' pianism, light and limpid refers to the stride pianists, in a word melodious but always swinging.
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[J.P.A.]