Help a brotha' out
Download one of our club posters and help us promote a much anticipated live show. Just print from the 150 dpi [244k] PDF and write in the particulars at the bottom, or post the 72 dpi [124k] PDF online.

150 dpi | 72 dpi

They said it

7.30.08 | FROM LIVE MUSIC
PHILADEPHIA WEEKLY

"After a decade in business, this eclectic local band has a long-awaited self-titled CD and seems in prime mood to celebrate. Led by bassist/trombonist/arranger Mike Hood, the 10-piece unit bills itself as "Philly's only Southern-fried jazz orchestra." That would seem to entail horns galore and a taste for New Orleans second-line grooves, jump blues, good-time funk, vintage R&B, early jazz and the odd smoky ballad. The CD playlist features a slowed-down "I Hear You Knockin'," along with Ellington and Charlie Shavers goodies and a helping of Hood's originals too. With dollops of tuba and banjo and big-band power in a small package, it's hard not to like." - David R. Adler

Bloom-Shahka-Lahka

Hoppin John found itself in the catbird seat for this years Philadelphia Flower Show. We did lunchtime sets on THE BOURBON STAGE throughout the entire week of flower and horticultural nutty-ness. Man was it fun! It was a gas to be a part of this event as it is a grand festival and a Philadelphia mainstay. The best part was being able to bring this music to life, full on, for seven straight days.

We should also mention that the gig came to us by way of Robin Parry. Robin has been working very hard to provide relief for the New Orleans community with "PHILLY TO NEW ORLEANS", a music driven support service which is producing The Bourbon Stage. Thanks Robin!

We did 3 shows a day from 11:00am, 12:00 and 1:00pm. The Flower Show had a "Jazz it Up" theme, so we brought it all "N'awlins" all the time. We marched to and from the bandstand in second line tradition and I don't mind tellin' ya, it got loud and ruckus. It was great to see familiar faces it in the crowd come out, sniff a gardenia and holler at us. We were stompin' and swingin' in the mid-day.

3.7.08 | FROM CITY PAPER BLOG
ON THE FLOWER SHOW PERFORMANCE

"Hoppin' John is reason I'd dream braving those crowds. They are one of this city's under-utilized forces of nature. Beats? Clean and hotly syncopated. Horns? Blasting and no hesitation on intonation. They'll be playing daylight hours through Sunday (last day of show)... close your eyes, feel the heat of the crowd, catch the drift of jasmine and gardenia, hyacinth and narcissus in the air and, yeah, you can be in NOLA for a minute.

MORE FLOWER SHOW RESPONSE
"Give young cats a chance"
Flower Show photos
Video on YouTube

12.27.06 | FROM PHILADELPHIA WEEKLY

"On original material like 'Melvin Pervis Gets His Man' and 'Bayou Biscuit,' Philly's Hoppin' John Orchestra bring home the bacon, raise the roof and burn down the mission. Jamming the blues on equal parts Dixieland, Dixie-funk, traditional jazz and early rock 'n' roll, this eight-piece band of local jazz scholars has been mixing styles and blowing minds since 1996. Far from purists, Hoppin' John count Darius Milhaud and Raymond Scott among their influences, lending a seamless sense of texture and ease to their music that escapes more traditional jazz outfits. Now if only Hoppin' John would release a CD."

Jimmy Dippin'

4.16.07 | Graham Shots HJO! Hoppin' John is fortunate to have a good friend in world class photographer Jim Graham. Jim has been coming out in support of the group for years. Just recently he offered to do a live shoot at Chris'. Check it out.

theBIGtime

3.13.07 | We just took part in a Big Band Festival. Chris' First Annual. It was great to see so many people out to support this timeless music in a form that is all about the live sound. It was also great to hear the buzz in the local papers.
Check it! SHAUN BRADY | Philadelphia Daily News

...then that happened.
2.25.08 | I don't know how to say this but, we finished our CD. That might not sound like much, but we started recording last January at Buckeye Recording, not to mention that we've been playing together for over 10 years.
I think the week of straight gigs coming up at this years Flower Show got everyone to thinking. In particular, Jim Graham, who pulled the trigger on funding just last week. This got the wheels in motion. DAMN!

For Openers
6.6.08 | Okay, we've been working hard at Chris' providing live music for the jazz savvy listener. We were just part of a 3 band mega-show at that little rock room that could; Doc Watson's. We opened for a jumpin' blues/funk outfit called New Pony. I don't mind sayin', it was a blast and a half. Lauren Lark was saucey. Chris Farr was on the gig with us as was some other standby fire eaters like Matt Cappy and Randy Kapralick. We shoe-horned ourselves onto the little rock-pub stage, and we got loose. Uhh, about those monitors...

Cash Bar
4.11.08 | We've recently found a great new reason to drink and hear live music: The First Annual "Blast from the Past". A "Spirited" Celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition. That's right, it wasn't always legal. What matters most is, those days are gone. Presented by DAUPHIN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY and it was hosted by Troegs Brewery in Harrisburg, PA, this event was great fun and yes... educational... No really.

Arrived Leaving
2.15.08 | Well we all drove out to lovely Harrisburg and played a spirited set at the Millenium Music Conference. We played with a couple fine bands. SCOTT'S GRILLE was a big groove. The trip proved fruitful in that we came away with two dates at FESTIVALS out there this summer. Had a beer, okay 2, got in our cars and drove home. We'll let you know more when we get it.

Honored
1.3.07 | Just got word that "Melvin Purivs Gets His Man" received and Honorable Mention in the Songwriters Association of Washington's annual Mid-Atlantic Songwriting contest!
www.saw.org/masc.asp

Ballet Debut
Tony Gairo premiered his Jazz Ballet recently titled "Collaboration: A Jazz Ballet in Six Movements" at Moravian College. Those of you familiar with Tony's fiery reeds in HJO would do well to get familiar with his jazz writing and arranging.

MONTH TO MONTH
Part of the reason the past year and a half brought Hoppin' John out in the open was because we found a great venue in Chris' Jazz Cafe.
The room, the set-up, the people and the locale have been a perfect fit for us. Look for us there in the coming year. We'd love to see you.