Mokane Fiddler by Jake Hockemeyer

Albert “Jake” Hockemeyer was a titan of Mid-Missouri fiddling and a two-time State Champion in 1983 and 1986. A lifelong resident of Mokane, Hockemeyer was a master of the Little Dixie style. This tradition is characterized by a driving hornpipe rhythm and a dense, note-heavy repertoire played at square-dance speed.

Though he was a southpaw who played a right-handed fiddle "over the bass," his bowing was legendary for its seamless and smooth quality. He was most famous for his renditions of "Fisher’s Hornpipe" in the key of F and "Marmaduke’s Hornpipe." His peers considered the latter to be the best in the country. Despite a late-life battle with arthritis, Hockemeyer remained a dedicated mentor through the Missouri Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. He ensured that his deep repertoire of tunes, learned by ear from regional legends and radio stars, was passed down to the next generation.

The Missouri State Old Time Fiddlers Association works to promote and preserve the traditional fiddle music of Missouri and the surrounding region. Your purchase here supports those activities.

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