Biography
Derrick Hodge is a celebrated composer and bassist who is equally adept on both electric and upright instruments. While he is best known as a member of the Robert Glasper Experiment, he is an accomplished session musician who has worked extensively across jazz, cinematic, and R&B genres.
Hodge was born in Philadelphia and first began playing electric guitar before switching to electric bass while still in elementary school. He played in his school’s concert band and orchestra. He was introduced to the contrabass in junior high, but had no formal instruction on the instrument when he undertook it. He taught himself the instrument by using his electric techniques and adapted them by watching the other string players in the orchestra. While in high school, Hodge performed in the orchestra and spent his spare time working on the many different kinds of music that were bubbling up in and around Philadelphia, from R&B and hip-hop to gospel and jazz. During this crucial period, he counted James Poyser and Jethaniel Nixon as primary influences.
Hodge attended Temple University’s Esther Boyer College of Music. He not only studied jazz composition and performance, but also took private lessons on both the upright and electric basses from Vince Fay. He was a member of the Temple University Jazz Band and Small Ensemble under Terell Stafford, but also the Temple University Symphony Orchestra and New Music Chamber Orchestra. Outside of school, he studied with Christian McBride at the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Summer Academy.
While still in school, Hodge began recording with a slew of Philly R&B and hip-hop talent, including Jill Scott, Musiq (Soulchild), and Floetry. He joined pianist Mulgrew Miller’s live and recording group in 2003. In 2005 he was the featured bassist on Common’s hit recording Be. The same year he began his compositions. Time spent understudying with Terence Blanchard was important because in addition to playing and composing, Hodge began studying film composition. He contributed cues to Blanchard’s score for Spike Lee’s film When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, as well as tunes to the trumpeter/composer’s A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina) in 2006. That year Hodge also played on Stefon Harris’ celebrated African Tarantella album. In 2007, Hodge contributed music, bass, and production to Common’s Finding Forever (he also played on two of the rapper’s subsequent albums). Other R&B and hip-hop artists him out as well, including Timbaland, Mos Def, Q-Tip, Kanye West, and Gerald Levert.
The bassist composed the score to Dawn Logsdon and Lolis Eric Elie’s documentary Faubourg Tremé: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans in 2008. That same year, Hodge joined the Robert Glasper Experiment with Chris Dave and Casey Benjamin, and composed the score for the Edet Belzberg film The Recruiter. The RGE made their recorded debut on the 2009 album Double Booked, and Hodge was bandleader and musical director on Maxwell’s BLACKsummers’night, and played on Blanchard’s Choices, and Gretchen Parlato’s In a Dream. In 2011, Hodge was busy recording and touring with the RGE. Later in the year they cut the monumental jazz-R&B-pop crossover hit Black Radio, which was released in February of 2012; they toured for the rest of year and into 2013. Also in 2012, M.K. Asante’s documentary The Black Candle, featuring a score by the bassist, made its debut on the Starz cable television network.
Hodge signed to Blue Note Records and began to record his solo debut during tour breaks. In early 2013, Black Radio won the Grammy for Best R&B Album. Hodge’s self-produced record Live Today arrived in August, with appearances by all members of the RGE, as well as Common, Poyser, Aaron Parks, and others, the recording hit the jazz charts and resonated long after. Though still occupied touring with Glasper, Hodge cut another solo album. Serving as composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, he finished Second in early 2016. Hodge played almost all instruments and did his own vocals. Drummer Mark Colenburg appeared on three tracks, and the horn section of trumpeter Keyon Harrold, trombonist Corey King, and tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland appeared on another. Second was released at the end of August, three weeks before the Robert Glaser Experiment issued its third studio album, Artscience. ~ Thom Jurek
Releases
R+R=NOW Live - R+R=NOW
Color of Noize - Derrick Hodge
Collagically Speaking - R+R=NOW
Our Point Of View - Blue Note All-Stars
The Second - Derrick Hodge
Live Today - Derrick Hodge
Videos
R+R=NOW “First Look” with Don Was
Derrick Hodge “First Look” with Don Was
Derrick Hodge “Color Of Noize” (Album Trailer)
Derrick Hodge “Not Right Now” (Visualizer)
R+R=NOW “Collagically Speaking” (album trailer)
BLUE NOTE ALL-STARS “CYCLING THROUGH REALITY”
Blue Note Records 75th Anniversary Presents: Our Point of View
Derrick Hodge “Live Today” (Album Trailer)
SPOTLIGHT
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Derrick Hodge’s “Color Of Noize”
With his third record, Derrick Hodge unleashes his freest work yet. Color of Noize is the band, the concept, and the album, and if that name evokes more questions than answers for you, then you’re reading it right. The title is perfectly wide-open and inquisitive for a composer, bandleader, and bassist (etc.) with Hodge’s history. He’s been a go-to collaborator for Robert Glasper, Maxwell,... read more
REFLECT+RESPOND=NOW
In an era when every headline carries some new horror or fresh worry, we need music that can clap back with immediacy, skill, and heart. We need a band so at home in its skin that it can play without ego and lead with love—artists whose very existence attests to resilience and hope. We need R+R=NOW, a supergroup assembled by Robert Glasper but functionally egalitarian, in no small part because... read more
BLUE NOTE ALL-STARS POINT FORWARD ON “OUR POINT OF VIEW”
Jazz as an art form is a lifelong work in progress. While in some camps the music of past masters represents the genre’s heralded Golden Age, others disagree, noting that there are artists in the present day with fresh original voices and their own point of view who are forging ahead with their imaginative visions for where the music is excitedly heading. Certainly steeped in the tradition,... read more
DERRICK HODGE LIVES FOR TODAY
Live Today signals a new journey for bassist and composer Derrick Hodge as he embarks on a solo recording career. The title alludes to his top guiding principle in creating his debut album, a stunning achievement that showcases the profound depth and breadth of his musicality. “This whole album was putting on my composer’s hat, but letting go and making sure that I’m giving people raw... read more
News
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PRESENTING BLUE NOTE REVIEW: VOLUME THREE – TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLEE MORGAN
Presenting Blue Note Review: Volume Three – TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLEE MORGAN, the long-awaited third edition of our acclaimed vinyl boxset series, which returns with an emphatic celebration of Blue Note legend Lee Morgan. Curated by Blue Note President Don Was, the set encapsulates the continuum of the legendary jazz... read more
R+R=NOW TO RELEASE LIVE ALBUM FEB. 12; HEAR THEIR COVER OF KENDRICK LAMAR’S “HOW MUCH A DOLLAR COST”
In October 2018, Robert Glasper settled into the Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City for a month-long residency several nights of which featured the new dream team collective R+R=NOW with Glasper on keys, Terrace Martin on synthesizer, vocoder, and alto saxophone, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah on trumpet, Derrick... read more
DERRICK HODGE RELEASES NEW SINGLE “HEARTBEATS” FROM “COLOR OF NOIZE” OUT JUNE 26
Bassist, composer, and producer Derrick Hodge has released “Heartbeats,” the stunningly beautiful 2nd song to be revealed from his forthcoming album Color of Noize, which will be released June 26. Color of Noize is the band, the concept, and the album, and the project reflects a melting pot of influence and... read more
DERRICK HODGE RETURNS WITH A NEW BAND, CONCEPT & ALBUM “COLOR OF NOIZE” OUT JUNE 26
With his third record, 2-time GRAMMY winner Derrick Hodge unleashes his freest work yet. Color of Noize — due out June 26 on Blue Note Records — is the band, the concept, and the album, and if that name evokes more questions than answers for you, then you’re reading it right. The title is perfectly wide-open and... read more
“BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE NOTES” GETS SEPT. 6 DVD/BLU-RAY RELEASE + MORE U.S. THEATRICAL OPENINGS
Following acclaimed theatrical runs in New York and Los Angeles, Mira Film and Eagle Vision have announced a September 6th DVD, Blu-ray, and digital release for the award-winning documentary Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes – directed by Sophie Huber. The feature documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival... read more
“BLUE NOTE RECORDS: BEYOND THE NOTES” SET FOR THEATRICAL OPENINGS IN NY (6/14) & LA (6/28)
Mira Film and Eagle Rock Entertainment have announced the start of the US theatrical rollout for the award-winning documentary Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes – directed by Sophie Huber. The feature documentary premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2018, has played at over 50 international film festivals,... read more
R+R=NOW TO PLAY LA & SF SHOWS; FEATURED AS PART OF ROBERT GLASPER’S MONTH-LONG BLUE NOTE NYC RESIDENCY IN OCTOBER
Dream team band R+R=NOW—featuring Robert Glasper on keyboards, Terrace Martin on synthesizer and vocoder, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah on trumpet, Derrick Hodge on bass, Taylor McFerrin on synthesizer and beatbox, and Justin Tyson on drums—have been touring across the world since the June release their... read more
R+R=NOW DEBUT ALBUM “COLLAGICALLY SPEAKING” OUT 6/15 FEAT. ROBERT GLASPER, TERRACE MARTIN, CHRISTIAN SCOTT, DERRICK HODGE, TAYLOR McFERRIN, JUSTIN TYSON
Dream team band R+R=NOW—featuring Robert Glasper on keyboards, Terrace Martin on synthesizer and vocoder, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah on trumpet, Derrick Hodge on bass, Taylor McFerrin on synth and beatbox, and Justin Tyson on drums—will release their debut album Collagically Speaking (Blue Note) on June... read more
R+R=NOW NEW SINGLE “CHANGE OF TONE” OUT NOW; DREAM TEAM BAND TO PLAY CELEBRATE BROOKLYN, NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL & MORE
Dream team band R+R=NOW has released “Change Of Tone,” the enticing lead track from their forthcoming debut album Collagically Speaking, which will be released June 15. “Change Of Tone,” which is available today to stream or download, moves with ease between its various sections and styles,... read more
INTRODUCING “BLUE NOTE REVIEW” – A NEW BIANNUAL LIMITED EDITION BOXSET SUBSCRIPTION SERIES
Blue Note Records introduces Blue Note Review: Volume One - Peace, Love & Fishing, the inaugural edition of a stunning new biannual, limited edition, luxury boxset subscription series that encapsulates the storied past and auspicious future of the legendary jazz label. The beautifully curated collector's item is a... read more
