Search - Jackie Mclean :: Jackie's Pal

Bill Hardman, obscure trumpet player extraordinaire

Samuel Chell | Kenosha,, WI United States | 03/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While the music per se is no better than 4 stars, this is one of the few examples of Bill Hardman's recorded trumpet work in circulation (in fact, this was his "official" recording debut). I caught Bill live on 4 occasions, and each time he was in the company of more heralded trumpet players, over each of whom he was able to assert his mastery (including Freddy Hubbard!). Rarely does his name surface in discussions of Art Blakey's trumpet stars (Clifford Brown, Donald Byrd, Kenny Dorham, Lee Morgan, Freddy Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard), even though he put in extensive tours of duty with the Jazz Messengers on no fewer than three occasions.



He lacked the expansive lyricism and passionate sound of Clifford Brown, but no one could execute complex melodic lines with the speed and precision of Bill. He was a human "bebop machine," a player who could improvise for hours on a single chord and not run out of ideas. Look for an out-of-print Messengers LP recorded in Italy--"Art's Break." The first track is an up-tempo blues on which Bill submits 16 dazzling, pyrotechnical choruses--the first five played unaccompanied! That's a feat I haven't heard from Diz, Clifford, or Wynton. All Bill needed was a better press agent--or more sponsors like Jackie Mclean."

IT GETS BETTER

John M. | 03/29/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This one may be all-right but even better is-Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers- HARD BOP - with Jackie & Bill - 9 tracks - 66 min-No repeats featuring a great medium version of Stella by Starlight.- Dig It"