Greg Hopkins, 2007 January 26
Trumpeter and educator Greg Hopkins describes growing up and gigging in Detroit’s music scene; attending Michigan State University and meeting several influential musicians there; his approach to writing music; and his time performing with Billy Maxted and Buddy Rich’s bands. Hopkins shares how he transitioned from touring to teaching at Berklee College of Music in 1974, several major influences among his colleagues, and how he came to direct his big band. He describes playing in musical productions like Porgy & Bess and Dancin’, gigging in Boston with various bands, and his international performance experiences. Hopkins also describes his Berklee student jazz orchestra and memorable student members, his compositional and teaching philosophies, his views of the evolution of jazz, and his current musical projects.
Trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator Greg Hopkins (1946- ), a Detroit native, originally studied clarinet before picking up the trumpet at the age of eight. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University and taught instrumental music in the Birmingham school system. From 1969 to 1974, Hopkins toured nationally and internationally, appearing at the Newport, Monterey, and other major jazz festivals. Hopkins arranged and performed with the Billy Maxted and Buddy Rich orchestras as well as for RCA Records; he also co-led the Naus-Hopkins Big Band. Hopkins joined the Berklee College of Music faculty in 1974, teaching courses in theory, arranging, and ensembles in what later became the Jazz Composition department. Hopkins became the director for the Berklee Big Band in 1977 and also served as director of the Berklee Concert Jazz Orchestra. He was also a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
