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Carla Norris-Hopkins
- Sound Description:
- Exciting, raw, scat-filled, bopish popish jazz with Carla's trademark impromptu improvisations
Based in Little Elm, TX
Carla Norris-Hopkins is from Mansfield, Louisiana, and has been singing since the age of four. While living in Chicago, she was invited to be a part of the opening act for Bobby Blue Band’s Revue in Chicago.
Carla later moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and recorded for Eddy Kozak for Red River Records after performing regularly with legendary blues and jazz veterans Jesse Thomas and Peaches Sterling. Carla co-founded the jazz and eclectic group Rum 'n Coke while also performing with various other groups throughout the area, including the Shreveport Regional Jazz Orchestra.
After dropping out of the music scene for 8 years due to a spiritual hiatus, Carla re-emerged in 2003. Her coolest gig was performing in Dallas at the Reception for Gordon Parks, the famed photographer, director, composer, musician and author, in 2005.
Information submitted by the artist
Betty Carter, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Cassandra Wilson, John Coltrane, Marchel Ivery
Exciting, raw, scat-filled, bopish popish jazz with Carla's trademark impromptu improvisations

carlaj, says:
I happen to know that Carla's main influence is John Coltrane...his evolution...therefore his music...was and is...ear opening for her.
Anonymous
3 years, 8 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Alan Cohen, says:
I'll make sure that we add that to her influences.
Do you know, what era of Coltrane is her favorite? I'm partial to the Atlantic years. Whether it was him tearing through Countdown, grooving on Equinox, or balladeering on Naima, these years had something extra special attached to every note.
I'm curious as to how that translates for a vocalist like Carla?
Staff
3 years, 8 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
carlaj, says:
Please update my Gig listings that I emailed to you. Thanks.
Anonymous
6 months, 2 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Mike Orren, says:
Carla, we're not going to be as fast to update over a holiday weekend. Someone will get the updates tomorrow.
Staff
6 months, 2 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
carlaj, says:
Oh, Great! Thanks and Thanks for all you do for musicians.
Anonymous
6 months, 2 weeks agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal