Claude Driskett Hopkins (August 24, 1903 – February 19, 1984)[1] was an American jazz stride pianist and bandleader.

[2] A talented stride piano player and arranger, he left home at the age of 21 to become a sideman with the Wilbur Sweatman Orchestra, but stayed less than a year.

[3] In 1925, he left for Europe as the musical director of The Revue Negre which starred Josephine Baker[4] with Sidney Bechet in the band.

He returned to the US in 1927 where, based in Washington, D.C., he toured the Theatre Owners Booking Association circuit with The Ginger Snaps Revue, before heading once again for New York City where he took over the band of Charlie Skeets.

[3][6] With Red Allen With Cozy Cole With Bud Freeman With Coleman Hawkins With Lonnie Johnson With Ma Rainey