A reliable hard bop-oriented trumpeter,
Bill Hardman never became famous, but he helped out on many sessions. While a teenager,
Hardman gigged with
Tadd Dameron, and after graduating high school he was with
Tiny Bradshaw (1953-1955). He debuted on record with
Jackie McLean (1955), played with
Charles Mingus (1956), and gained recognition for his work with
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1956-1958).
Hardman worked with
Horace Silver (1958),
Lou Donaldson (on and off during 1959-1966), re-joined
Blakey twice (1966-1969 and in the late '70s), was with
Mingus again during parts of 1969-1972, and led a group with
Junior Cook (1979-1981).
Bill Hardman had an appealing style in the
Clifford Brown tradition and recorded as a leader for Savoy (1961) and Muse. ~ Scott Yanow