Joe HopkinsQuotables

Joe Hopkins- Clarinet
Joe has been playing jazz clarinet since the 9th grade .  He played with many groups in the Fort Worth , Dallas area where he grew up.  He had his own jazz band while at Reed College in Portland. He joined IBM in 1962 and retired in 1993. He continued to play while employed by IBM. He worked with the Churchill Street Jazz Band in Northern California for ten years (1980's) and played most of the Jazz Festivals on the west coast. After moving to Arizona in 1990 he immediately began to play jazz in the Phoenix area. He was a member of the Desert City Six for 13 years. In the last 10 years he has also played with the Off the Wall Over the Hill Gang, Dr. Sasparilla and his Red Hot Jazz Band, Cat's n' Jammers, Cell Block Seven from Lodi, California and the BoonDockers from Northern California. He currently leads three bands of his own: The Joe Hopkins Quartet  and the 52nd Street Jazz Band which plays Chicago/New York Style Jazz ala Eddie Condon groups. In addition Joe leads the Moldy Fig Jazz Band which plays authentic New Orleans style Dixieland.  Joe is currently Director on the board of the American Federation of Jazz Societies and a member of the American Federation of Musicians, local 586 in addition to being the Vice-President and musical director of the AZ Classic Jazz Society.

(480) 396-6798  Cell Phone: 602-810-5888   Email: jazzclarinet@cox.net            You are visitor number:Hit Counter

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 Hi Joe Just had to send you an e-mail to tell you how very much we enjoyed the band last night.  As far as we're concerned, you're the best band in this valley, and you can certainly hold your own against any of the bands we get at the festivals.  It was certainly worth the trip over to Sun City in the rain to hear such great music and enjoy all the wonderful dancing.  My feet hurt like hell, but in a NICE way!!
Alex

Hi Joe
We want to thank you for a wonderful evening Monday. The band was superb and the stories you told about the music and the selections of songs were swinging.
We expect to see you Sunday eve and continue to enjoy the group.
I do believe you made several people believe you were doing an very good job.
The people sitting at our table was interested in how they could hear more of the band and we all told them to come to Chances Are on Sunday so we will see if they make it.
Keep up the good Music. Larry & Betty

Dear  Joe,
Just want to thank you, thank you, thank you.  Everyone seemed very happy and enjoyed themselves.  Could not do this without you and the 52nd St Jazz Band. As warm as it was with the early sun, it became real cool in the evening, that’s Arizona. To quote the great Clint “YOU MADE MY DAY’  and I thank you again.  Love you all.
Jean
Jean is the agent who put the jazz festival together in Sun City West.  We were the opening band for the event.

Dear Joe, Gary and Cheryl,
How wonderful and generous you were to play for our SIMADA members last Tuesday afternoon. I have received many phone calls telling me how GREAT you guys were and how they are now converted to being a JAZZ fan. You were all so nice and we loved getting to know you all.
As ever,

Marlene Lyons

Gary,
   Thank you for sending me the CD of the band you are playing with.  I love it.  Takes me back to the days when I was in the City and listening to Condon, Wild Bill, and the gang.   This band is a perfect fit for you.  It was a pleasure to hear you play with such fine musicians, you never should have wasted all those years with those cowboy bums.  I assume this Joe Hopkins guy is from Arizona.  has he been there all his life?  I find it hard to believe that someone that plays that well has escaped my attention unless he's always been out west.  I  never have enjoyed the west.  I went to the Sacramento Festival once, maybe 25 years ago, and did not enjoy it.  Did get to see Wild Bill, and Peanuts, enjoyed that. Playing with a band like the CD you sent would make it fun again.  But I'll always have my memories of good bands.  I loved the recording.  Your girl plays well, reminds me of Stubby.  You remember him?   Is that her standing next to you in the picture? If so, you are one lucky S.O.B.  The band sounds very good,  Even the electric bass and guitar don't ruin it for me (still better than a damn banjo and tuba) You've always reminded me of the good cats like Wild Bill and Yank.  The trombone player has his shit together too.  Sounds like Jack Teagarden took a few lessons from the Allred boys,  And your Hopkins guy plays like I always wanted to, beautiful tone, and phrasing.  Reminds me very much of the first time I heard Bob Wilber at Condon's.  The regular band was off on Tuesdays and Butterfield would be playing with either Peanuts or Wilber.  But the real band with Wild William and Edmond was the real exciting bunch.  Love the whole damn band, nice choice of tunes. Most Dixieland recordings I find now have all those dreadful Lou Waters type crap that I don't know or can't identify with at all.  There is a reason those tunes became obscure.. they suck, they sucked in the 1920's and they still suck today.  Only west coast bands I ever gave a crap about was Matlock.  Well, once again thanks for sending me the fine music.  I have a dozen kids here at SMSU  that have formed 2 jazz bands to play at pep rallies and I want to play it for them.  I hope they continue interest in the fall.  Last year was the first time I've had enough students show interest to form 2 bands.  Continue with your music my friend, and if you are ever close by, let me know.
                                                     Jerry

Hi Joe
We all sure enjoyed the music Wed evening and the couple that was 
with us are still talking about how much they liked the music. She was 
very impressed with Cheryl Thurston and her keyboard style.
Thanks, Joe...
Larry and betty

 

To Joe and the band,
Thank you so much for playing our wedding. We could not have asked for a nicer day and you made it possible. Your music really set the tone for a beautiful wedding. We hope you enjoy the pictures.
Dianne and Travis

 

 


 

 

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Last modified: 05/31/08