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Derrick Hodge

Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time, there were no bass instructors so Hodge learned the instrument by using his electric bass technique and by watching the 1st and 2nd violins sitting across from him. And for jazz band, he just played the upright bass as if it were an electric bass, disallowing the lack of instructional resources to be his hindrance.

He considers himself a product of a hotbed of talent from the greater Philadelphia region which had a thriving Gospel, Jazz, Classical, R&B and emerging Hip Hop scene. He also credits mentors such as James Poyser, Jethaniel Nixon, and others throughout his teenage years. Hodge received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Temple University Ester Boyer College of Music where he studied Jazz Composition and Performance. He studied acoustic and electric bass privately with Vince Fay. He was also involved in the Temple University Jazz Band and Small Ensemble, conducted by Terell Stafford, and was the first Jazz major to participate in the Temple University Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Luis Biava, and New Music Chamber Orchestra. He was also a student at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Academy, under the instruction of Christian McBride and Loren Schoenberg.

Along with formal collegiate training and experience, he performed with the Temple University Gospel Choir, among others. Hodge has performed and/or recorded with Terell Stafford, Donald Byrd, Bootsie Barnes, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, John P. Kee and the New Life Community Choir, Kenny Lattimore, Q-Tip, Mos Def, Timbaland, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Gerald Levert, Common, Kanye West, Andre 3000, Sade, Terence Blanchard, Mulgrew Miller, Clark Terry, and others. Aside from Hodge’s performing side, he has always had a passion for music composition. Being granted the opportunities to write for artists in the past has enabled him to be identified as a writer in various genres of music ranging from Jazz and Orchestral Chamber music to Pop and R&B.

Over the past few years, Hodge has been developing his writing skills for extended music scoring and film music. Understudying with Grammy Nominated composer Terence Blanchard, Hodge has been afforded the opportunity to learn about the film industry and writing process. He has also received on the job training while working as an instrumentalist on many of Blanchard’s films including She Hate Me, Waist Deep, and Inside Man.

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Album Review

Jahari Stampley: Still Listening

Read "Still Listening" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Chicago-based pianist Jahari Stampley is a definite prodigy. Raised in a musical family, Stampley, like his mother, also composes and plays other instruments. His debut Still Listening is a mix of four solo and five ensemble tracks, all his originals, which also showcase his leadership skills. The unaccompanied pieces are gems of musical virtuosity. “Evanescent," for example, is a bittersweet ballad with Americana motifs. Stampley's simultaneously effervescent and melancholic chords hint at times at folk and at other ...

1
Album Review

R+R=NOW: R+R=NOW - Live (Blue Note Club New York/2018)

Read "R+R=NOW - Live (Blue Note Club New York/2018)" reviewed by Emmanuel Di Tommaso


"When you reflect what's going on in your time and respond to that, you can't not be relevant. So 'R' plus 'R' equals 'NOW.'" Con queste parole Robert Glasper spiegava nel 2017 la nascita del sestetto dei R+R=Now, riprendendo una risposta che Nina Simone dava a quanti la criticavano per le sue prese di posizione politiche e sociali ("an artist's duty, as far as I'm concerned, is to reflect the times"). Non è in effetti una coincidenza che ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

R+R+Now Live, Dr. Lonnie Smith & Andrian Younge

Read "R+R+Now Live, Dr. Lonnie Smith & Andrian Younge" reviewed by Joe Dimino


One of the finest recordings released during early 2021 was by R+R+Now Live led by Robert Glasper and Derrick Hodge. From there, we play some catch up looking into the voices and music captured during the 2020 pandemic jazz year. It includes Ed Partyka, Cathlene Pineda, Frank Basile and Stephen Menold. We say good-bye to Joe Miquelon who was one of the nicest jazz musicians and educators in Kansas City. Finally, we wrap up the 693rd Episode of Neon Jazz ...

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Interview

Derrick Hodge: In the Moment

Read "Derrick Hodge: In the Moment" reviewed by Aaron Paschal


Bassist, musician, producer, composer Derrick Hodge is a man full of soul, compassion and creativity. You may not know him by name but if you are a fan of music you have more than likely vibed out to some of his music and not even realized it. Hodge has released two albums of his own on Blue Note, LIve Today (2013) and The Second (2016), has partnered on albums with Robert Glasper, while his bass lines have set the tone ...

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Album Review

Derrick Hodge: Live Today

Read "Live Today" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


It's no surprise that bassist Derrick Hodge's debut, Live Today, breathes fresh creativity. Whether swinging fervently on upright or laying down nasty funk riffs on electric bass, his versatility has been recruited by trumpet giant Terence Blanchard and served as a vital component of the Robert Glasper Experiment's Grammy-winning Black Radio (Blue Note, 2012). Hodge's talents are not, however, limited to any one musical genre, including work as musical director for R&B singing star Maxwell, and collaborations with rapper/actor Common ...

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Interview

Derrick Hodge: Raw, Unabashed Honesty

Read "Derrick Hodge: Raw, Unabashed Honesty" reviewed by DanMichael Reyes


Versatility is a trait that any young musician wishes to attain in his/her career. While the ability to seamlessly flow in and out of any musical situation or genre can be attained by spending countless hours in the shed and listening to an array of records, a unique musical environment helps immensely in shaping a young musician's ear. Derrick Hodge has no hesitation in stating that he is a product of his musical environment, having been raised outside Philadelphia in ...

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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Derrick Hodge's birthday today!

Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Derrick Hodge's birthday today!

Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Derrick Hodge's birthday today!

Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Derrick Hodge's birthday today!

Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time... Read more.

Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Derrick Hodge's birthday today! Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time... Read more. Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or ...

1

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Jazz Musician of the Day: Derrick Hodge

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Derrick Hodge's birthday today! Derrick Hodge began studying electric guitar at the age of 7, inspired by the playing of West Philadelphia’s Beulah Baptist Church choir’s bassist, Joel Ruffiin. A year later, Hodge switched to electric bass guitar and began playing in the elementary school concert band and orchestra. In junior high, he was introduced to the upright contrabass. At the time... Read more. Place our Musician of the Day widget on your website or ...

1

Recording

Bassist & Composer Derrick Hodge Premieres “Gritty Folk” From His Debut Recording "Live Today" To Be Released Aug. 6 On Blue Note Records

Bassist & Composer Derrick Hodge Premieres “Gritty Folk” From His Debut Recording "Live Today" To Be Released Aug. 6 On Blue Note Records

Source: Michael Ricci

HODGE STEPS OUT FROM THE ROBERT GLASPER EXPERIMENT WITH DIVERSE DEBUT THAT FEATURES COMMON, GLASPER, ALAN HAMPTON & OTHERS On August 6, Blue Note Records will release Live Today, the debut recording from extraordinary bassist and composer Derrick Hodge. Hodge is perhaps best known as the anchor of the genre-bending, GRAMMY award-winning band Robert Glasper Experiment, but he has also spent time in the cutting-edge jazz trumpeter Terence Blanchard’s group, and is currently the music director for the R&B star ...

112

Event

Jill Newman Productions Presents Sly & the Family Stone, Jimmy Scott, Bilal, Derrick Hodge and Others

Jill Newman Productions Presents Sly & the Family Stone, Jimmy Scott, Bilal, Derrick Hodge and Others

Source: All About Jazz

JILL NEWMAN PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS EXCITING CALENDAR OF EVENTS including SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, JIMMY SCOTT BILAL, DERRICK HODGE & OTHERS NEW YORK, NY, October 29, 2007 - Jill Newman Productions, renowned across the nation for high-quality, diverse music productions, announces an exciting calendar of events, including the UNITED STATES PREMIERE OF THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, Jimmy Scott, Bilal, Derrick Hodge and others. Calendar of Events: WORLD PREMIERE OF ...

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Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Still Listening

Self Produced
2023

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R+R=NOW - Live (Blue...

Blue Note Records
2021

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Live Today

Blue Note Records
2013

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Live Today

Mastermind Productions
0

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