Ricky Hopkins began playing tenor saxophone at the age of 11. Known for his trademark sound and highly energetic solos, Hopkins attended the world renowned Hamilton High School Academy of Music in 1999 and was a member of its award winning jazz ensembles. He performed at the prestigious Monterey Jazz Festival in 2002 and 2003, taking top soloist honors in 2003. In 2004, Hopkins was awarded the prestigious Downbeat Magazine Student Award and was ranked as the best young tenor saxophonist of all that were polled. In October 2005, Hopkins was severly beaten in a hate crime. The seriousness of the injuries forced him to stop performing. However, his desire to play brought him back to the stage in December of 2005, and Hopkins picked up his horn just days before a school concert. While most would consider such a tragedy as an end of a career, Hopkins saw the event as a new start to his career. "I would say that was the rebirth of my music career. Although I'm not the same player I was before, I think it inspired me to play music that was a lot more meaningful." Currently, Hopkins is perfoming with three bands, including Sixstep, Everything That Exists, and his own band, The Urban Band. Ricky has performed with: Billy Ray Cyrus, jazz legend Ernie Andrews, singer Barbara Morrison, Jose Rizo's Latin Jazz All Star Big Band, famed trumpeter Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, drum legend Sherman Ferguson, and pianist Kei Akagi (Miles Davis's last keyboardist). Some of Ricky's influences include John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Joshua Redman, and Chris Potter.
Ricky Hopkins and The Urban Band's Friend Space (Top 30)
**We are currently seeking 1 Experienced Tattoo Artist. Details are in our blog sections of our homesite and MySpace. Seriously interested individuals should Apply via email, phone, or in person.
Want to set up a show at The Relax Bar or the Blue Café? Send me a message and lets set something up or even better, bring out a demo to one of the shows :)
I’m also looking for bands for these shows: 9/1 Friar Tucks- Pomona: 9 and 1am 9/2 The Blue Café- Long Beach: 10 and 11PM 9/2 The Blue Café- Huntington Beach: 10 and 11PM 9/3 The Blue Café- Long Beach: 8 PM 9/3 The Blue Café – Huntington Beach: 8 and 10PM 9/8 Friar Tucks- Pomona9,10,11,12,1 9/9 The Blue Café- Long Beach: 11Pm 9/22 Friar Tucks Pomona: 10,11,12,1
PS, I am looking for bands for these shows: 7/31- Blue Cafe - Long Beach 8:30 PM 8/4- Friar Tucks- Pomona- 10,11,1 8/11- Friar Tucks- Pomona 9,11,12,1 8/18- Friar Tucks- Pomona 9,12,1
SINCE THE RETURN FROM HER STAY ON THE MOON LUCIANNA LISTENS LIKE SPRING AND SHE TALKS LIKE JUNE
Now that she's back in the atmosphere With drops of Jupiter in her hair She acts like summer and walks like rain Reminds me that there's time to change...
Tell me did you sail across the Sun,did you make it to the Milky Way? to see the lights all faded and that heaven is over rated...
Tell me did you fall for a Shooting Star? One without a permanent scar...
And,"DID YOU MISS ME",while you were, "LOOKING AT YOURSELF", out there?
Now that she's back from that Soul Vacation Tracing her way through the Constellation She checks out Mozart while she does tae-bo Reminds me that there's time to grow...
Now that she's back in the atmosphere I'm afraid that she might think of me as plain ol'Jane Told me a story about a man who is afraid to fly, so he never did, never really knew why...
Tell me did the Wind sweep you off your feet, did you finally get the chance to dance along the Light Of Day, or head back to the Milky Way?
Tell me did Venus blow your mind? was it everything you wanted to find...
And,"DID YOU MISS ME",while you were, "LOOKING FOR YOURSELF",out there?
I HOPE YOU SAW YOURSELF AMONG THE STARS,I HOPE YOU FOUND YOU JUST AS YOU ARE!
Hey, how have you been? I'm back in California, I think permanently, if everything goes according to plan... give me a call, my number is (254) 652 8040
Un ciao caldo, Spero bene il vostro, il vostro soddisfatto e che il vostro cuore sia Lite, riempito di luce e di amore. Goda, abbracci di una festa bella!
