Herbert Hardesty (March 3, 1925 – December 3, 2016) was
an American musician who played tenor saxophone and trumpet. He is best known
for his association with the New Orleans pianist Fats Domino and the producer
Dave Bartholomew, beginning in 1948.
Hardesty was born March 3, 1925, in New Orleans. He began
trumpet lessons at age six using a horn that was given to his stepfather by
Louis Armstrong. He took lessons from Professor Valmore Victor and at a young
age played with bands led by Papa Celestin, Sidney Designee and Chick Webb.
In 1941, Hardesty enlisted in the military two years
below minimum draft age. While he was stationed in Jackson, Miss., his
commanding officer bought him an alto sax which he learned to play in two days.
He trained at Tuskegee, Ala. as a radio technician with the 99th Flying
Squadron making him part of the Tuskegee Airmen. He was stationed in Morocco,
Italy, and Germany and whenever he could, he played trumpet and alto sax with
local European musicians.
When the war ended, Hardesty returned to New Orleans. He
began performing in clubs with his first trio consisting of him playing double
bass accompanied by a guitarist and pianist. About that time he purchased a
tenor saxophone and began lessons to play it. In 1948, Hardesty formed a group
called The Four Dukes where he played both trumpet and tenor sax. In 1946,
Hardesty met Dave Bartholomew and shortly after became part of the studio band
at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Recording Studio. For six months, he toured with
Roy Brown then returned to record again with Bartholomew. Herb recorded with
Jewel King, Tommy Ridgley, Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Shirley and Lee, Smiley
Lewis, T-Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard and others while still
performing in local clubs.
In 1955, Bartholomew invited Hardesty to tour with Fats
Domino. While on the tour, Herbert was photographed playing his sax while
laying on his back on the stage floor. That picture appeared in Life Magazine
in its April 18, 1955 issue. During this same tour, Fats recorded Blue Monday
in Los Angeles and on that recording Hardesty played a baritone sax solo at
Fats' request. It was the one and only time he had ever played baritone sax.
One music writer said Hardesty's solo, "is as close to perfection as one
can imagine. The eight-bar sax break is a gem of almost frightening economy. It
is one of the most memorable, bluesy, and yet simple runs in all of
R&B." Herb went on to play solo on most of Fats' recordings. Hardesty
wrote and recorded several original pieces which were not released until his
CD, The Domino Effect, came out in 2012.
Herb toured and recorded with Fats for more than 30
years. In 1971, he moved to Las Vegas, where he played with a variety of bands
such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington and backed vocalists such as Tony
Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. In 1978, he recorded with Tom Waits
on Blue Valentine and toured with him throughout the United States, Europe, and
Australia. With Waits, Hardesty played his trumpet more than his tenor sax. Hardesty
rejoined Domino from 1980-2005. He also played with other artists such as Dr.
John, Bobby Setter, Olaf Polziehn Trio and Plas Johnson. Herb recorded on Mitch
Woods' CD, Big Easy Boogie and toured with him as well.
In 2012, Hardesty played at the Jazz Festival in New
Orleans with his own group, Herb Hardesty and The Dukes. Almost every time Dr.
John and Herb happened to be in the same city, Mac would invite Herb to play
with his band. It was Herb's great pleasure to perform with his good friend.
Hardesty continued playing local gigs in Las Vegas until he became too ill to
do so. He was honored at the 2009 Asante Awards Festival as a Legend and
Cultural Ambassador. In 2016, the Preservation Resource Center honored him for
Outstanding Musical Contributions to The New Orleans Community and Jazz
Heritage at the Red Hot Jazz Gala's 16th Annual Ladies In Red Event.
Herbert Hardesty, New Orleans legendary tenor sax
musician, passed away Dec. 3, 2016, in Las Vegas, from mantle cell lymphoma and
complications. He was 91. (Info edited from an article in Las Vegas Review
Journal)
In order of appearance - DAVE BARTHOLOMEW, HERBERT, RICK
COLEMAN and the late COSIMO MATASSA
1 comment:
For “Herb Hardesty & His Band - The Domino Effect - Wing and Federal Recordings (1958-61)” go here:
https://www.sendspace.com/file/8avjdt
1 Sassy
2 Goldie
3 Rumba Rockin' With Coleman
4 Soft Lights
5 Feelin' Good
6 Jammin'
7 Coach Train
8 Herb In The Doghouse
9 Tasty
10 Bouncing Ball
11 Herb's Mood
12 Nat
13 Beatin' And Blowin'
14 69 Mother's Place
15 Perdido Street
16 Adam And Eva
17 It Must Be Wonderful
18 The Chicken Twist
19 Why Did We Have To Part
20 Just A Little Bit Of Everything
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