Duncan Hopkins

With Duncan Hopkins’ group the sound of jazz is moving forward.

Reg Schwager and Ted Quinlan dance and weave around each other’s lines with thoughtful expression that finds them moving in harmony at times, sharing contrapuntal moments and trading between chords and melodies. It is a guitar masterclass from start to finish.

David Reed The Intelligencer May 16th, 2023

"Foxy Trot" is classic Wheeler — a sly exploration of its quasi-titular dance's 4/4 rhythm, with off-kilter metric accents that keep you on your toes. Hopkins takes the first solo, spritely but understated with a plush tone. Schwager and Quinlan follow in turn, each gracing the tune with his own unique lyricism while Lambert responds to every nuance with mesmerizing detail. Not only a loving tribute, but also a thoroughly exciting session from some of Canada's jazz greats.

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With Duncan Hopkins’ group the sound of jazz is moving forward.

Reg Schwager and Ted Quinlan dance and weave around each other’s lines with thoughtful expression that finds them moving in harmony at times, sharing contrapuntal moments and trading between chords and melodies. It is a guitar masterclass from start to finish.

David Reed The Intelligencer May 16th, 2023

"Foxy Trot" is classic Wheeler — a sly exploration of its quasi-titular dance's 4/4 rhythm, with off-kilter metric accents that keep you on your toes. Hopkins takes the first solo, spritely but understated with a plush tone. Schwager and Quinlan follow in turn, each gracing the tune with his own unique lyricism while Lambert responds to every nuance with mesmerizing detail. Not only a loving tribute, but also a thoroughly exciting session from some of Canada's jazz greats.

Robert Rowat CBC May 17th 2023

Who Are You? The Music of Kenny Wheeler is a musical glowing tribute to the late great Canadian composer and trumpeter...

Kerry Doole Music News Digest May 18th, 2023

I confess that I have never been a big fan of jazz guitar. I’ve listened to many recordings, but none have made it into my regular rotation. But this two-guitar band and this album changed my mind.

Ed Sapiega Jazz Views May 25th, 2023

...what this worthy Kenny Wheeler themed album from the quartet of bassist Duncan Hopkins most rewardingly achieves is to send you immediately again to a range of Wheeler classics.

Stephen Graham Marlbank May 28th 2023

An extraordinary celebration and tribute of Kenny Wheeler's legacy, Who Are You? The Music of Kenny Wheeler is a treasure for jazz connoisseurs and highly recommended for personal and public library music collections.

James A Cox Midwest Book Reviews May 2023

Who Are You? sits with the very best of them. The music is excellent, as is the guitar work of Reg Schwager and Ted Quinlan, but it is the combination of the two guitars and bass that really make this release stand out. The way that the two guitarists play off and around each

other is captivating but it is the depth of sound that Duncan Hopkins’ melodic bass brings to a number that pulls everything together.

Simply Jazz Talk June 1st, 2023

Ted Quinlan and Reg Schwager, two of Canada's greatest jazz guitarists, weave lines and chords together over the rock-solid rhythm section of Hopkins and drummer Michel Lambert. A fresh and very enjoyable tribute to one of the most important composers in the history of jazz. Widely recommended.

Guillermo Bazzola TomaJazz Madrid, Spain May 23rd, 2023

. Joyous music. I mentioned that there have been several albums in tribute to Wheeler and this stands with the best of them. There is no grandstanding here, the musicians are comfortable in each other’s company, and this is evident from what they produce. The sound quality is excellent, and all instrumentalists are clearly and crisply recorded. The artwork produced by Neil Mcvey is also worthy of note.

Alan Musson UKVibe June 5th, 2023

While the music maintains a swinging groove, the overall mood here is quite gentle, always accessible and enjoyable. Wheeler’s compositions were often contemplative, and these tracks are faithful to the writing. The two-guitar choice works well; they swirl around each other with complete empathy and a unified interpretation.

Keith Black Winnipeg Free Press May 26th, 2023

Here the writing was sophisticated while keeping emotions up front, teetering on

the edge of the avant-garde… talent at full creative tilt. 

Geoff Chapman The Toronto Star

 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 colours of a gentle soul.

 Bruno Pollacci  Animajazz Pisa, Italy

“Hopkins' seamless counter melodic flow beneath Speake and Iles is reminiscent of the late Bill Evan’s sideman Scott La Faro...”

John Fordham, The Guardian, UK

Le Rouge 1994

“This CD is Excellent!” 

Cadence Magazine NY, USA

Kindred Spirits     1996

“..a high grade release where the writing...is as impressive as the playing.” 

The Toronto Star, Canada

Red & Brassy         2004

“Duncan Hopkins adds an inspired voice to

Canadian jazz composition with his masterful Red & Brassy, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past, present and future in one invigorating breath.”

e-jazznews

“This cd is a remarkable musical accomplishment - highly recommended!” 

Wholenote Magazine, Toronto, Canada

Voyageur                   2017

“Sophisticated but intimate, these three musicians create a musical mood that simulates eventide and candlelight in one moment and sea breeze on your cheeks in the next.”

J. Robert Bragonier, Los Angeles, U.S.A.

"St.Catharines has given the jazz world one important composer...Kenny Wheeler. It may have another one ... in the person of Duncan Hopkins" 

Author and jazz critic Mark Miller (Globe and Mail) 

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