The Greg Hopkins Jazz Orchestra

This performance is a rare opportunity to hear some of New England’s world class jazz musicians perform an original repertoire created by leader Greg Hopkins. 

The program will include two of Hopkins’s originals—“Soothsayer” and “Reflections”—an arrangement of the Ralph Towner jazz tune “The Glide,” and an arrangement of Duke Ellington’s profound melody “In a Sentimental Mood,” (which will be part of an Ellington tribute, along with “Matumbe,” from his recording A Drum Is a Woman). The program will conclude with the classic version of Horace Sliver’s jazz standard “Nutville,” written for and recorded by the Buddy Rich Band in 1973. 

The band members have toured the world and recorded with jazz luminaries such as: Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Oregon, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito D’Rivera, Benny Carter, Phil Woods, John Clayton, Lonnie Smith, Herb Pomeroy, Alan Dawson, and many more. 

Hopkins was trumpet soloist, arranger, and musical director for the Buddy Rich band from 1972-1974, and composed extensively for the band in those years. His current band is an effort to recreate some of the excitement and energy of those storied road band days. Alumni of the band include: Steve Smith, Joe Hunt, Billy Pierce, James Williams, Mick Goodrick, Wayne Naus, Jeff Stout, Paul Fontaine, and many more.