Claude Driskett Hopkins (August 24, 1903 – February 19, 1984) was an American jazz stride pianist and bandleader.
Hopkins was born into a well-educated, middle-class family, both parents being members of the faculty of Howard University. He studied formally at Howard before starting a career as a dance band pianist. In the mid-20s he visited Europe as leader of a band accompanying Joséphine Baker. Later in the decade and into the early 30s he worked in and around New York, leading bands at many prestigious dancehalls, including the Savoy and Roseland. In 1934 he began a residency at the Cotton Club, sharing headline space with the Jimmie Lunceford band, which lasted until the club closed its Harlem premises in February 1936. In the late 30s and early 40s Hopkins toured extensively but folded the band in 1942. He regularly employed first-class musicians such as Hilton Jefferson, Edmond Hall, Vic Dickenson and Jabbo Smith. After a spell outside music he returned to the scene, fronting a band in New York in 1948, and continued to appear in the city and other east coast centres, with large and small groups, into the 70s. Among the musicians with whom he performed during these years were Henry ‘Red’ Allen, Wild Bill Davison and Roy Eldridge. The bands which Hopkins led always had a relaxed, lightly swinging sound, eschewing powerhouse bravura performances.
Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - 1932-1934 {The Chronological Classics, 699} [70:50]
01. (I Would Do) Anything For You (3:17)
02. Mad Moments (2:54)
03. Mush Mouth (3:08)
04. How'm I Doin'? (3:14)
05. Three Little Words (3:12)
06. (I Would Do) Anything For You (3:02)
07. Hopkins Scream (2:38)
08. Washington Squabble (3:18)
09. Look Who's Here (3:10)
10. He's A Son Of The South (3:16)
11. Canadian Capers (2:54)
12. California, Here I Come (3:12)
13. Three Little Words (3:12)
14. Shake Your Ashes (2:48)
15. Mystic Moan (3:20)
16. Just You, Just Me (2:51)
17. Washington Squabble (3:06)
18. Ain't Misbehavin' (3:01)
19. Honeysuckle Rose (3:06)
20. Washington Squabble (3:09)
21. Mystic Moan (2:49)
22. Marie (3:03)
23. Ain't Misbehavin' (3:11)
Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - 1934-1935 {The Chronological Classics, 716} [65:09]
01. Harlem Rhythm Dance (3:29)
02. Minor Mania (2:51)
03. My Gal Sal (3:05)
04. Three Little Words (2:45)
05. Everybody Shuffle (3:00)
06. Don't Let Your Love Go Wrong (2:39)
07. I Can't Dance I Got Ants In My Pants (2:50)
08. Margie (3:12)
09. Chasing All The Blues Away (3:12)
10. Just You, Just Me (3:00)
11. King Porter Stomp (3:16)
12. In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree (2:48)
13. Who? (2:27)
14. Walkin' The Dog (2:45)
15. Sweetheart O'Mine (2:48)
16. Monkey Business (2:46)
17. Zozoi (2:46)
18. Mandy (2:56)
19. Do You Ever Think Of Me? (3:01)
20. Trees (3:06)
21. Love In Bloom (3:06)
22. June In January (3:22)
Claude Hopkins And His Orchestra - 1937-1940 {The Chronological Classics, 733} [56:50]
01. Sunday (3:12)
02. Swingin' Down The Lane (2:57)
03. Honey (3:10)
04. June Night (2:36)
05. Church Street Sobbin' Blues (3:04)
06. My Kinda Love (One Way To Paradise) (2:59)
07. Junk-Man's Serenade (2:46)
08. Twinkle Dinkle (2:27)
09. Ja-Da (Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing-Jing-Jing!) (2:32)
10. Walkin' The Dog (2:34)
11. I Let A Tear Fall In The River (3:00)
12. Spareribs And Spaghetti (2:08)
13. Home Cookin' Mamma (2:26)
14. How Much Do You Mean To Me? (2:28)
15. Yacht Club Swing (3:05)
16. The Singing Hills (2:58)
17. Out To Lunch (3:13)
18. A Little Rain Must Fall (3:11)
19. I'd Believe In You (3:00)
20. What's The Matter With Me? (3:02)
