By: Rudy Lu

Van Dyck’s Chris Sule is not afraid to introduce unique sounds to the 518.

Scott Hopkins is a banjo player who models his acoustic playing techniques after the great Tony Trischka. However, he is not afraid to explore music that up till now has not been explored in public.

Some of the music could be found with practitioners of Gypsy Jazz. Jazz standards from the Duke Ellington & Django Reinhardt songbooks were played. Along with Sesame Street’s great song “Rubber Duckie”.

Tunes not usually expected with this repertoire included “Straight No Chaser” and “Night in Tunisia”.

Scott was accompanied by long time veterans of the 518 jazz scene, Luke Franco on acoustic guitar and Lou Smaldone on bass.

Among the many educational activities Scott is involved is the Ashokan banjo weekend. For more information on Scott’s schedule of performances click here .