[1][2][3][4] He initially studied violin, switching to saxophone in his teens.

[4] He attended Lennox School of Jazz in 1959, and Brandeis University,[1][4] where he obtained Bachelor of Arts (1963), and Master of Fine Arts (1966) degrees.

[4] Popkin studied with Lennie Tristano in the 1960s, joining his quartet in 1968.

[5][6] He has recorded at least sixteen albums, frequently with Connie Crothers on piano until her death in 2016.

He co-founded New Artists record label with Crothers.