Canadian Double bassist, composer and arranger Duncan Hopkins has been working at the highest levels of jazz for almost thirty Years. In that time he has worked with such luminaries as Norma Winstone, Rob McConnell and the Boss Brass, Scott Hamilton, Houston Person, Warren Vache, Ed Bickert, Mark Murphy, Peter Appleyard, Dianna Krall, Kenny Wheeler, Sam Rivers, Harry Allen and Edward Simon to name but a few. He has toured extensively throughout Canada, Great Britain, Europe, Brazil and the United States. He can be heard on over fifty albums, numerous CBC, BBC and NPR recordings and has eight recordings as a leader and/or co-leader.
His new project and recently released recording features brilliant British jazz pianist Nikki Iles and a dazzling vocalist from Paris Thierry Peala and is called Voyageur. The words and music were written specifically for this group and includes favourites such as Escape to Madeira and The Captain.
"The Elysian Trio expresses kindness, delicacy and expressive softness, qualities that are not very common today…With elegance and refinement, Elysian takes us on a flight drifting among the notes of a dreaming heart and again capable of experiencing the aromas and colors of a gentle soul." Bruno Pollacci Animajazz Pisa, Italy
Much of the music is original and inspired from Duncan’s travels but also surprisingly refreshing takes on spirituals like I am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger are included along with a few surprises meant to delight British audiences.
Duncan, Nikki and Thierry present this to music to the Pizza Express Dean st. for their only U.K. public performance this year on their European tour!
