Claude Hopkins

Claude Driskett Hopkins (1903-1984) was a U.S. jazz bandleader and pianist in the stride style.

Hopkins was born on the 24th August 1903 in Alexandria, Virginia (though historians differ in respect of the actual date of his birth). His parents were on the faculty of Howard University. A highly talented stride piano player and arranger, he left home at the age of twenty-one as a sideman with the Wilbur Sweatman Orchestra, but stayed with them for less than a year. In 1925 he left for Europe as the musical director of The Revue Negre, which starred Josephine Baker, and had Sidney Bechet in the band.