Gary Hoopengardner

Gary Hoopengardner (b. 1979 Cleveland, Ohio, USA) started studying upright bass with Kevin Switalski (Cleveland Orchestra) in 1994. During this time he began performing in local clubs and small orchestras in the Cleveland area. At the age of 17 he moved to NYC where he played sessions and performed in local clubs. While in New York he befriended bass legend Milt Hinton who became his teacher and mentor. In 1999 Gary moved back to Cleveland accepting the job as bass professor at Cuyahoga Community College Eastern Campus. During this time he helped found the Modern Arts Coalition of Cleveland with Josh Yellon and multi-media artist Abe Olvido organizing and promoting multimedia events or "happenings" involving local and national artists and musicians. It was also at this time that UNKL was conceived, thanks in large part to the teachings and friendship of percussionist Jamey Haddad (currently working with Dave Liebman group and Paul Simon). From 1998 through the present Gary has traveled and performed extensively throughout North America and Europe. He has performed and recorded with Dan Wall (of the John Abercrombie Trio), John Schröder, Abdourhamane Diop, Andreas Schnermann, Greg Bandy, Jacob Sax, Ari Hoenig, Ernie Krivda, Henrik Wahlsdorf, Christian Van der Goltz and many others. He is currently working in the Christian Van der Goltz Trio (Jazz), Sonja Kandels Band (African/Jazz), The Hollow Men (Rock/PunkJazz), Lilian Maria (singer, Rock/Punk/Electronic), M-21 (Beats/HipHop) Henrik Wahlsdorf and Kai Lübke (Modern Jazz) and UNKL (Modern Jazz Beats) and was recently included in Berlin Jazz Radios' CD compilation "Jazz in Berlin". Gary lives in Berlin, Germany and travels the world.