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Coniston Hotel, Marlene Cummins

2016-07-01T16:19:59+10:00

Coniston Hotel
Especially for the Illawarra jazz and blues crowd, I’ll be doing my bluesy singing and piano playing this Saturday 9 July at the Coniston Hotel from 7:30pm.

Marlene Cummins
I’m playing the first set again for Marlene Cummins and the Blues Experience Band on Saturday 23 July Harmonie-German Club, Canberra. Marlene not only sings in a soul/blues fashion but also plays saxophone and she is known as the Koori Blues Woman.Her band are world class consisting of Rex Goh, Calvin Welch, Craig Calhoun, and Murray Cook.
Just announced for those closer to Goulburn myself and Marlene will be performing at The Goulburn Club on Friday the 22nd of July $10 from 8pm. see gigs section for details.

18 Footers Club Double Bay
I have been asked for more dates at the 18 Footers Club in Double Bay. The next will be on Monday18th July starting 6 - 8:30pm. From August I will be there on the first Monday of the month. All non members of the club are welcome. So come and enjoy this classy club built out over the water for some of my blues, jazz and popular repertoire. They have a lovely restaurant and bar and if you come early you can enjoy the sunset views of the harbour.

Wednesday Live Blues at Low 302
Wednesday night is a great mid-week time to go out for a drink and a meal and be entertained with a wide range of blues with Don Hopkins at the piano. Low 302 has a lovely atmosphere and there’s nothing but great blues tracks being played in the breaks. Low 302 Crown St Darlinghurst.

Piano Lessons
I am still filling up the spaces on Thursday, day and evening, for piano lessons, as Tuesday and Wednesday are now pretty full. Learn some new licks and tricks and extend your repertoire of songs and styles on the piano. Lessons tailored to suit your individual piano playing needs. Beginners to advanced. I’m situated in Erskineville near Newtown. Give me a call to discuss further or send me an email: M: 0425 201 870 E: donhopkins@me.com

Renee Jonas EP Launch

2016-05-16T21:46:33+10:00

Don Hopkins News & Gigs
Welcome new subscribers and regular readers to Don Hopkins News and Gigs

Thredbo Jazz Festival
It was great to meet some of the email subscribers and make some new friends at this years Thredbo Jazz Festival. I heard some great music when I wasn’t busy doing my performances with Illya Szwec on the guitar. The range of styles at the festival means there is something for all tastes. From legendary George Golla, to Blues Point Vocal Group. It’s a unique alpine village and well worth a visit for those who haven’t been. The quality and range of the dining experience is also superb. Illya and I had a great time. Thanks to Thredbo for having us this year. Thredbo also has a blues festival in January.

18 Footers Club Double Bay
Now a brand new gig. I have been asked to entertain with my bluesy piano and vocals at the 18 Footers Club in Double Bay. This should be a good Monday night for my bluesy mix in stylish surrounds. 6 June at 6:30 Details in the Gigs section.

Wednesday Live Blues at Low 302
Come along and listen to some piano blues and experience the fabulous Low 302 Bar. The perfect venue for my up beat along with low down blues.
The new Wednesday blues night at Low302, 302 Crown St Darlinghurst is really taking off, with lots of pleased customers returning to enjoy the live piano and vocal blues songs in an intimate setting. Everyones also enjoying the food and drinks and friendly staff. Every Wednesday is my night to shine. I’m playing a wide range of blues styles, I have picked up through the years, on the 8 foot grand piano that has a characterful low down barrel house sound .

Renee Jonas EP Launch
I'll be playing keys for this amazing singer, and songwriter, who is launching her debut CD at the Django Bar in Marrickville.
She is backed by a stellar group of musicians including: Michael Quigley (Drums), Jacob Parker (Bass), Don Hopkins (Keys), Jy-Perry Banks (Pedal Steel), Elliot Weston (Guitar), Gavin Atkins (Guitar). This will be a night filled with passion, frivolity and fun.
Fresh from 3 consecutive national tours with the Ten Sopranos, Renee Jonas has embraced her folk/rock roots with a fresh country twist in her new debut EP. Renee will be performing all of the songs from the EP as well as celebrating her journey so far through song.

Flame Lounge
I always enjoy playing for the Northern Beaches dancing and listening crowd at the Dee Why RSL Flame Lounge, and catching up with them in the breaks. From next month I will be back to playing on the first Sunday and third Friday of the Month making it easy to remember when I’m there. My next gig is on Friday 20th May.

Norfolk Island Jazzes It Up
Excited to announce I will be performing again in December at the Norfolk Island Jazzes It Up festival. Along with doing my shows I will be playing piano with the amazing singer, Pearl Noire. What a great scenic and musical holiday. Best to book well ahead if you are interested in going. For further info about this unique island resort combined with jazz package from 4th to 11th December 2016.
http://www.norfolkisland.com.au/things-to-do/calendar-of-events

Thredbo Jazz Festival Last Weekend Of April

2016-04-01T12:53:39+11:00

Thredbo Jazz Festival Last Weekend Of April
For those who have been to Thredbo Village you know what a lovely place it is to spend a weekend. In a former incarnation as Gumbo Fever, with Mal Green on the drums, we would play many times at the Schuss Bar in the 1990s. So I am happy to create the vibe again on the Saturday night, 30th of April, this time with Illya Szwec on guitar. We will also be playing at the grand piano in the hotel’s Lounge Bar on Sunday night. Lineup includes George Golla, Clayton Doley, Psycho Zydeco, Feel The Manouche.... It’s on the last weekend of April and I can recommend the combination of the great jazz music with lovely alpine scenery. See the website for booking details and the lineup. www.thredbo.com.au/thredbojazzfestival/

Continuing Live Blues Every Wednesday Night At Low 302
I’m really loving my new Wednesday night gig and I know you would enjoy it too. Lovely attentive staff, perfect low lit comfy lounge vibe, 8 foot vintage grand piano, great sound and sound man, quality food and drinks, free admission. So come down to the popular Low 302 Restaurant and Bar at 302 Crown St Darlinghurst (near Campbell Street) on Wednesday for some of my blues. I’m playing from 8:30pm till 11:30 and they are open till 2am.

Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival
It was great to see the regulars and new ones at this years Kiama Jazz and Blues Festival. It was the largest footpath crowd we have had at our usual Saturday morning spot by Saltwater Cafe. Joel Davis did an excellent job on his vintage drums and a surprise visit by Jimmy Stead on sax went down well. Also there was a great audience in the Leagues Club lounge in the afternoon. Thanks to all the organisers from the Kiama Jazz and Blues Club and the sponsors.

Easter Sunday
Unfortunately the Easter Sunday 27 March Twilight Jazz & Blues in Hindmarsh Park, Kiama was cancelled due to the torrential down-pours on that day.

Piano Lessons
Learn some new licks and tricks and extend your repertoire of songs and styles on the piano. Lessons tailored to suit your individual piano playing needs. Beginners to advanced. I’m situated in Erskineville near Newtown. Give me a call to discuss further or send me an email: M: 0425 201 870 E: donhopkins@me.com