Winston “Jeggae” Hoppie

A self-taught musician, Winston Hoppie, popularly known as “Jeggae” has been playing drums, keyboard, the harmonica, doing poetry and storytelling for over forty-five years. Jeggae plays music for the Guyanese and West Indian Spiritual Baptist Churches on weekends throughout the Tri-State area, Maryland, Atlanta and sometimes internationally. His music has crossed over to the Episcopal churches at their annual Revivals in the five boroughs of New York City and Long Island. Jeggae contributes to the annual African Liberation Ceremonies, Guyana Folk Festival and has released five CDs, Spirit Drums, Revival Drums, Gospel Drums, Praise Drums: compilations of drums, poetry and popular gospel music, and Folk Kwe Drums, a collection of Guyanese Folk and Kwe Kwe (Queh Queh) songs. He represented Guyana at the 1981 Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) in Barbados. While still residing in Guyana Jeggae toured the US and Canada with the Chronicle Atlantic Symphony Steel Orchestra and Troupe and performed at numerous venues including the United Nations in New York City. 

Even though Jeggae stays busy with his music and cultural activities, he still found the time to graduate from the CUNY/Borough of Manhattan Community College with an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree from City College of New York, and a master’s degree in Urban Studies from CUNY/Queens College. In November 2019, Jeggae retired from the New York City Human Resources Administration after employment of 31 years. His last appointment was the Deputy Director of the Contracts Unit of the HIV/AIDS Administration.