Musician. A tenor saxophonist, he will be remembered for his collaborations with Fats Domino. His musical contributions helped define such classic hits as "Ain't That a Shame" (1955), "I'm In Love Again" (1956), "Blueberry Hill" (1956), "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" (1956), "Blue Monday" (1957) and "I'm Walking" (1957). He began his musical career at an early age, when he was introduced to the trumpet and while in his early teens, he acquired performance experience with drummer and bandleader Chick Webb. During World War II, he played in the Army band during his training and at this period, he switched to the saxophone. He went on to serve as a radio technician with the Tuskegee Airmen and was stationed in Germany and Italy. Following his return home, he studied Music at Dillard University and later received his break when he joined New Orleans jazz great Dave Bartholomew's band. This led to Hardesty's meeting of the then relatively-unknown Fats Domino and the result would be Domino's first hit "The Fat Man" (1949). During the 1970s, he relocated to Las Vegas and performed in such orchestras as Duke Ellington and Count Basie, in addition to backing numerous vocalists including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. During the 2000s, Hardesty was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma, but continued to perform until 2014, despite his illness.
Musician. A tenor saxophonist, he will be remembered for his collaborations with Fats Domino. His musical contributions helped define such classic hits as "Ain't That a Shame" (1955), "I'm In Love Again" (1956), "Blueberry Hill" (1956), "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" (1956), "Blue Monday" (1957) and "I'm Walking" (1957). He began his musical career at an early age, when he was introduced to the trumpet and while in his early teens, he acquired performance experience with drummer and bandleader Chick Webb. During World War II, he played in the Army band during his training and at this period, he switched to the saxophone. He went on to serve as a radio technician with the Tuskegee Airmen and was stationed in Germany and Italy. Following his return home, he studied Music at Dillard University and later received his break when he joined New Orleans jazz great Dave Bartholomew's band. This led to Hardesty's meeting of the then relatively-unknown Fats Domino and the result would be Domino's first hit "The Fat Man" (1949). During the 1970s, he relocated to Las Vegas and performed in such orchestras as Duke Ellington and Count Basie, in addition to backing numerous vocalists including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Tony Bennett. During the 2000s, Hardesty was diagnosed with stage four lymphoma, but continued to perform until 2014, despite his illness.
Bio by: C.S.
Advertisement
