Album Notes

JC Hopkins is a triple threat: writer, performer and producer. He does all three on Underneath a Brooklyn Moon.

With original songs rooted in big band jazz, be-bop, and the classic American Songbook, Hopkins has drawn comparisons to Mose Allison and Van Dyke Parks for his clever turns of phrase and elegant arrangements.

JC Hopkins' Biggish Band creates that special alchemy of Americana jazz - something akin to Irving Berlin conducting a Moondog street symphony - that sounds simultaneously bold and classic, sophisticated and searching.

Brooklyn Moon features the vocals of Queen Esther, plus a deeply pedigreed group of supporting players that includes Patience Higgins (Savion Glover) and Claire Daly on saxophone, Warren Smith (Miles Davis, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin), on vibraphone, and Vincent Chancey (Sun Ra Arkestra) on French horn, among others.

NY Press:
"One of the highlights is 'One Never Knows,' co-written with Norah Jones; also pay attention to 'Show Biz'ness'."

Indianapolis Star:
"The band has evident internal rappport, and sports some fine soloists...a gem of American Jazz. "

Time Out New York:
"...check them out, so you can say you saw them when they were merely biggish, as opposed to huge!"

All About Jazz:
"Top-level talent"