Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu

Speak No Evil Jazz blog

Capital Public Radio's discussion of an art form born in America and celebrated worldwide.

subscribe

 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • Arts and Lifestyle
  •  

Veteran Bandleader David Hardiman On Duke, Dancing And Calls To The Post

  •  Gary G. Vercelli 
Monday, May 21, 2018
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Facebook
 

Facebook

Veteran Bay Area jazz trumpeter David Hardiman is bringing his 18-piece big band to Sacramento for a concert celebrating Duke Ellington, one of America's greatest and most prolific composers, not to mention one of the country's most popular bandleaders. 

Ellington wrote over a thousand compositions, including “Mood Indigo,” “Black and Tan Fantasy,” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got that Swing.”

“He was kind of ahead of his times," explains Hardiman. "His writing sounded more modern, even during the '30s and '40s."

Hardiman's San Francisco All Star Big Band will feature guest vocalist Denise Perrier singing many of Ellington's best known tunes. Hardiman advises that the concert is not just for listening. Dancing is highly encouraged.

“The music of Duke Ellington, as well as other orchestras, that was a part of the whole scene before bebop got started, they were in the dance halls,” he says.

Dr. David Hardiman has led bands for four decades and taught at San Francisco City College for 30 of those years. But since 1995, it’s his weekend work that has reached his largest and most unlikely audience.

Every Saturday and Sunday Hardiman serves as the bugler for Golden Gate Fields. He was first hired at Bay Meadows race track before it closed. Hardiman says he was recommended for the job by the Musicians Union Local.

"I had never been to horse racing tracks before but they said 'OK, play "Call To The Post."' So I played it and they said 'OK, play it again,' and I played it again. And they said 'show up next Friday and we'll fit you up with the uniform and try you out.'"

That was 23 years ago. Hardiman has kept the gig ever since. It's steady work in a profession that doesn't have a lot of it. As for sneaking in some jazz at the track, Hardiman says he tailors his offerings to his audience.

"I play a song that people would recognize. 'Star Wars' themes, 'Rocky' themes. My big hit is 'Tequila.' That's the one that people can yell out and that's definitely my hook. Love that song."

"Tequila" likely won't be on the set list when the David Hardiman Big Band and Denise Perrier perform tonight (Monday, May 21) at the Masonic Temple, presented by the Sacramento Jazz Cooperative. But you can expect to hear lots of Duke Ellington. And Hardiman says bring your dance shoes if you've got 'em!

 jazzSacramento Jazz CooperativeDuke EllingtonDavid HardimanDenise Perrier

Gary G. Vercelli

Jazz Music Director

Jazz Music Director Gary Vercelli produces CapRadio's terrestrial and online jazz programming, including JazzStream.org. He also hosts Excellence In Jazz and Acid Jazz and writes reviews of new jazz releases.  Read Full Bio 

 Email Gary G. Vercelli

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Jazz Posts

AP Photo/Ton Pouw

Celebrating the many faces of Miles Davis

May 26, 2022

More From CapRadio Music

Lawrence Sumulong/Courtesy of Sony Music

Composer John Williams and cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring together 'A Gathering of Friends'

May 24, 2022
We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

More From CapRadio Music

Lawrence Sumulong/Courtesy of Sony Music

Composer John Williams and cellist Yo-Yo Ma bring together 'A Gathering of Friends'

May 24, 2022

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.