Home » Jazz Musicians » Fred Hopkins

Fred Hopkins

Fred Hopkins was an American double bassist. He played with many musicians and ensembles connected with the Chicago based Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, and was an active participant in the so-called Loft Jazz Scene in New York during the 70's. He is perhaps best known as a member of the celebrated avant-jazz trio Air, which he formed along with Henry Threadgill and drummer Steve McCall. As a highly sought after bassist throughout his career, he was also an integral member of Henry Threadgill's Sextet (later renamed Sextett), and also played with, among others, Muhal Richard Abrams, Hamiett Bluiett, Marion Brown, Peter Brötzmann, Oliver Lake, Don Pullen, and on numerous albums with David Murray. In addition, he co-led a quertet with cellist Diedre Murray.

Tags

207
Album Review

Kahil El'Zabar: Love Outside Of Dreams

Read "Love Outside Of Dreams" reviewed by Kurt Gottschalk


Despite more domestic releases in the last decade than ever before in his career, and a higher profile after playing with the likes of Hamiet Bluiett and DD Jackson, percussionist and composer Kahil El'Zabar remains one of the best kept secrets in the Midwest. There are a few possible (if superficial) reasons: the strong Africanism embraced by much of Chicago's AACM (where El'Zabar got his start) doesn't always play in New York; his simple repeated-and-inverted themes are, admittedly, an acquired ...

140
Album Review

Kahil El'Zabar Trio: Love Outside Of Dreams

Read "Love Outside Of Dreams" reviewed by Mark Corroto


African-American music (and African music for that matter) has always been about groove, movement, and that internal mechanism in your chest (perhaps your heart) that undulates and sways to the beat. In jazz, the rhythm catches you. If you explore further, melody and improvisation demands your surrender to this religion.For more than 25 years, percussionist Kahil El’Zabar has worked at the crossroads of jazz and African music providing the groove for AACM creations and his own Ritual and ...

164
Album Review

Fred Hopkins/Diedre Murray Quartet: Prophecy

Read "Prophecy" reviewed by AAJ Staff


In the late '80s, Fred Hopkins and Diedre Murray made an effective duo. Their unusual combination of bass and cello allowed for some interesting musical statements. Shortly thereafter they formed a quartet to expand this sound. The new members: Brandon Ross (guitar) and Newman Baker (drums). All four members played at one time or another in Henry Threadgill's groups. The stated idea behind the 1990 recording Prophecy emphasizes continuity and fluidity of musical thought.

Within a fairly straight-ahead setting, soloists ...

125
Album Review

Fred Hopkins & Diedre Murray Quartet: Prophecy

Read "Prophecy" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Sadly, the inimitable bassist Fred Hopkins passed away on Thursday, January 7, 1999. Fred Hopkins was one of the busiest bassists in Chicago's creative music scene and often the bassist of choice for countless recording projects with dozens of performers too numerous to cite here. On the recently released Prophecy which was recorded in 1990 we get a glimpse of the much heralded Fred Hopkins/Diedre Murray Quartet. According to Ms. Murray, 'This was the first recording of a quartet that ...

Read more articles
"Fred Hopkins's bass fused audacious power with mercuric reflexes." - Gary Giddins (https://web.archive.org/web/20080624041451/http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0223,giddins2,35398,1.html)

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Love Outside Of Dreams

Delmark Records
2002

buy

Prophecy

About Time Records
1999

buy

Subject to Change

About Time Records
1985

buy

Air Song

Octave Lab
1982

buy

Air Song

Octave Lab
1975

buy

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.