Linda Hopkins

Linda Hopkins was an american actress, and blues and gospel singer.
Born December 14, 1924, New Orleans, Louisiana,
Died April 10, 2017, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Hopkins was discovered at age eleven by Mahalia Jackson. She grew up singing and studying with Jackson. Hopkins idolised Bessie Smith and won critical plaudits for her rendition of Smith in the theatrical presentation “Jazz Train”.

She left New Orleans in the 1950's to become one of the great blues and gospel singers of our time. She recorded classic, traditional, and urban blues, and performed R &B and soul, jazz, and show tunes, all with distinction and style. She starred in several musical revues including:

- "Me And Bessie", written by herself as a one-woman-show and as an homage to the great blues singer Bessie Smith. The world premiere was in Los Angeles in 1974.
- "Black And Blue", written by Claudio Segovia and Héctor Orezzoli. The world premiere was in Paris in 1985.
- "Wild Women Blues", written by Mel Howard. The world premiere was in Berlin in 1997.