Global Directory of Who’s Who Honors Dr. David Alexander Hardiman, Sr. for Six Decades of Jazz, Music Education and Cultural Leadership

San Francisco Bay Area jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, educator and longtime leader of the San Francisco All-Star Big Band celebrates an extraordinary legacy in American music

RICHMOND, CA — The Global Directory of Who’s Who proudly recognizes Dr. David Alexander Hardiman, Sr., W.M.H.D.A., an accomplished jazz trumpeter, flugelhorn player, pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, recording artist, music educator and bandleader whose career has influenced generations of musicians throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, California and beyond. With more than six decades devoted to music performance, education and cultural leadership, Dr. Hardiman has built an enduring legacy centered on jazz, big-band music, including R&B, Classical, Latin Music and other World Music mentorship and community engagement.

A longtime resident of Richmond, California, Dr. Hardiman is perhaps best known as the founder and leader of the San Francisco All-Star Big Band, an ensemble established in 1975 with support from a San Francisco Arts Commission grant. In 2026, the San Francisco All-Star Big Band celebrated its 51st Anniversary, marking five decades of performing jazz, swing, bebop, rhythm and blues, Latin-influenced music and other American musical styles. The milestone was celebrated through the 2026 San Francisco Mayor’s Juneteenth Kickoff at the San Francisco City Hall Sponsored by the SFAACC, NAACP, NCLF and paid for by The Musicians’ Local 6 Unions Performance Trust Fund and Dr. David Hardiman’s Birthday! Including the19-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Nina Causey and Dr. Hardiman's son, musician and vocalist David Anthony Hardiman.

A Distinguished Career in Jazz and Music Education

Dr. Hardiman's career combines professional performance with an equally significant commitment to music education. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana in 1959 and a Master of Music from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1971. He taught music in the Indianapolis School District for 11 years before moving to California. In 2017, Martin University in Indianapolis, Indiana awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in World Music, recognizing his lifetime of achievement in music, education and cultural leadership.

After relocating from Indianapolis, Indiana to California, Dr. Hardiman became an important figure in Bay Area music education. He joined City College of San Francisco in 1974, where he taught Jazz Studies for approximately 30 years before retiring in 2004. His total teaching career spanned approximately 45 years and included educational work in Indiana and California as well as teaching positions at Alameda College and Contra Costa Community College. His work at City College of San Francisco included leading ensembles, developing opportunities for jazz students and bringing accomplished professional musicians into educational settings.

During his years at City College, Dr. Hardiman helped develop and direct jazz performance opportunities for students while connecting classroom instruction with the professional music world. Musicians associated with his educational programs and concerts included respected jazz artists such as Kenny Burrell, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Pete Escovedo, Stanley Jordan, Mary Stallings, Eddie Henderson and many others. His work reinforced the importance of jazz education at a time when the genre was still expanding its presence within formal college music programs.

Founder and Leader of the San Francisco All-Star Big Band

The San Francisco All-Star Big Band has become one of the defining achievements of Dr. Hardiman's musical career. He founded the ensemble in 1975 at a time when traditional big bands were declining in popularity. Dr. Hardiman has explained that one of his goals was to demonstrate the musical excellence and professionalism of African American musicians working in the Bay Area. The ensemble brought together experienced performers, and legendary artist including musicians with professional associations connected to legendary bands led by figures such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington, etc.

Among the band's notable appearances was an engagement backing legendary vocalist Tony Bennett. Historical documentation from both the musicians' union and the University of California, Berkeley's Oral History Center describes the San Francisco All-Star Big Band musicians performing behind Bennett at a San Francisco event during the 1970s.

In addition to leading his own ensembles, Dr. Hardiman's performance history includes work associated with celebrated performers including Gladys Knight & the Pips, Nancy Wilson, Donny Hathaway, Jackie Wilson, The Dells, The Honey Cone, Red Prysock and Johnnie Ray. He also served as a leader and arranger for the Tina Lane television show and performed for two decades with the Golden Gate Park Band playing Classical Band music after joining American Federation of Musicians Local 6 in 1973. Also, he played as the Bugler at the Bay Meadows and Golden Gate Fields Horse Racetracks for two decades until they closed!

International Jazz Performer, Composer and Recording Artist

Dr. Hardiman's career has taken him beyond California to national and international stages. His professional biography documents performances in Finland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Brazil, Mexico and the Caribbean, as well as appearances connected with the North Sea Jazz Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, Indianapolis Jazz Festival and San Francisco Jazz Festival. His versatility encompasses classical, jazz, swing, bebop, Latin jazz, salsa, samba, reggae, R&B African and contemporary music.

As a composer, arranger and recording artist, Dr. Hardiman has developed a catalog reflecting both traditional jazz and global musical influences. Recordings associated with his career include “It’ll Be Alright,” “Portrait of David Hardiman,” “David Hardiman's San Francisco All Star Big Band 37th Anniversary,” “David Hardiman's Music Around the World” and “David Hardiman's Music Around the World, Volume 2.” His recordings and performances showcase his work as a trumpeter as well as his interests in jazz composition, arranging and international musical styles.

PERFORMING EXPERIENCE:

OPERA ORCHESTRA- INDIANA UNIVERSITY, 1 YEAR

MARCHING "100" BAND- INDIANA UNIVERSITY, 4 YEARS

CONCERT BAND- INDIANA UNIVERSITY, 4 YEARS

CIVIC SYMPHONY - INDIANAPOLIS, IND., INDIANA CENTRAL COLLEGE, 1 YEAR

STAGE BAND - BUTLER UNIVERSITY , 1 YEAR

ELDRIGE MORRISON BIG BAND- INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, 2 YEARS

JIMMY COE'S BIG BAND -  INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, 2 YEARS

LEADER & ARRANGER OF COMBO - THE TINA LANE TV SHOW, 13 WEEKS, INDIANAPOLIS, IND

LEADER & ARRANGER OF COMBO - INDIANAPOLIS, IND., "CHROMATIC BAND", 12 YEARS VERSATILE DANCE MUSIC GROUP

PLAYED IN BANDS ACCOMPANYING THE FOLLOWING NATIONAL CELEBRITIES - JACKIE WILSON, "THE DELLS", "THE HONEY CONES", DONNY HATHAWAY, RED PRYSOCK, JOHNNIE RAY, GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS, NANCY WILSON, MUSICAL THEATER SHOWS, SOPHISTICATED LADIES ETC.

ED WILLIAMS & JOE ASKEW'S BIG BAND - OAKLAND, CA 2 YEARS

FILMORE PRESERVATION JAZZ BIG BAND

MZIZI QUINTET WITH FAYE CAROL - BERKELEY, CA., U.C. BERKELEY JAZZ FESTIVAL CLUB & CONCERT TOURS, 1 YEAR

JULUIS HEMPHILL BAND

EARL VAN'S BIG BAND - SAN FRANCISCO, CA., 2 YEARS

"CUZ" COUSENAU'S BIG BAND - SAN FRANCISCO, CA ., 2 YEARS

GOLDEN GATE PARK CONCERT BAND - SAN FRANCISCO, CA., 1973- 1994

LEADER & ARRANGER - SAN FRANCISCO, CA., SAN FRANCISCO ALL STAR BIG BAND & COMBOS , 1975- PRESENT

DIRECTOR AFRICAN AMERICAN JAZZ CAUCUS DANCE BAND OF IAJE, 2003 TO PRESENT.

LATIN BANDS - THE ALIENS, SALSA A LA CRAN , MESTICO, RENE DE LA ROSA'S SENORA MODERNA, UNIDAD SIETE, RITMO '74, CESARS LATIN ALL STARS PEPE Y SU ORCESTA DE PERU , ETC.

PRODUCER WITH COLLEGE BANDS - KENNY BURRELL, HAROLD LAND, JOE HENDERSON, ANDREW HILL, LES McCANN, FREDDIE HUBBARD, DONALD BYRD, JOHN HANDY w/CLASS, PETE ESCOVEDO, WYNNARD HARPER MARY STALLINGS, BILL BELL, JULES BROUSSARD, CALVIN KEYS, STANLEY JORDAN, ETC.

PLAYED WITH SALSA BANDS: PEPE Y SU ORQUESTA, GRUPO CAFÉ CANELA, CESAR’S ALL STAR SALSA BAND, RITMO SEQUENTE CUATRO, ETC.-1976-PRESENT 

Lifetime Achievement and Professional Recognition

Dr. Hardiman's accomplishments have resulted in numerous professional and civic honors. In 2024, the International Association of Top Professionals selected Dr. Hardiman for its Lifetime Achievement Award, following his earlier recognition as Top Music Director of the Year in 2019. He was also inducted as an Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement honoree in 2018. Also, given The Lifetime Achievement In The Spirit Award, Old School Gone Wild, 2017 In Oakland, California, The Village Project, the Roy Bennett Award, 2019 For Musical contributions To The San Francisco Community, The Bay Area Jazz and Blues Award (BAJABA), 2019, Small Business Of The Year, Richmond Alignable, 2018, NCEM Jazz Band Of The Year, David Hardiman’s Orchestra, 2017.

His additional honors have included recognition for his contributions to jazz and music performance as well as certificates and commendations connected with elected officials and governmental bodies in California. His professional performance materials document recognition from the City and County of San Francisco, the California State Senate and other civic organizations for his contributions to music, education and the community.

Leadership in the San Francisco Bay Area Music Community

Dr. Hardiman's influence extends beyond the concert stage and classroom. His professional affiliations have included the National Association of Negro Musicians, American Federation of Musicians, Jazz Action Movement and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, as well as leadership with the Bay Area Jazz Society. He has also served as a director of the African American Jazz Caucus Dance Band, affiliated with the International Association of Jazz Educators, and is a co-founder of the Fillmore Jazz Ambassadors.

Dr. Hardiman is the President of the Board of Directors for the Caribbean Basin Institute for Education and Culture, a California nonprofit organization supporting art, music, education and cultural exchange between the United States and Caribbean communities. The organization's current website identifies him as a composer, arranger, trumpeter, bandleader, musician and community activist, further reflecting his commitment to connecting music with education and cultural understanding.

Throughout his career, Dr. Hardiman has emphasized perseverance, mentorship, education and the ability of music to bring people together. His family's musical tradition has continued through his son, David Anthony Hardiman, a musician, vocalist and educator who has performed with his father and the San Francisco All-Star Big Band.

A Lasting Legacy in San Francisco Jazz

More than half a century after establishing the San Francisco All-Star Big Band, Dr. David Alexander Hardiman, Sr. remains an important figure in San Francisco Bay Area jazz history and music education. From teaching generations of students at City College of San Francisco to performing internationally, recording original music, leading professional ensembles and celebrating the San Francisco All-Star Big Band's 51st Anniversary in 2026, his career illustrates the lasting impact one educator and musician can have on an art form and a community.

The Global Directory of Who’s Who is honored to recognize Dr. David Alexander Hardiman, Sr., W.M.H.D.A. for his distinguished contributions to jazz performance, music education, composition, arranging, cultural leadership and the preservation of big-band music throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and nationally and internationally.

For additional information about Dr. Hardiman's music, recordings, professional career and the San Francisco All-Star Big Band, visit website: www.dhardiman20012000wix.com David Hardiman Music.

About Dr. David A. Hardiman

Instructor Professor Teaching Music / Perform and play the trumpet in Jazz, Salsa, Latin Music, R & B, Classical Music, a Variety of music STYLES AND EVENTS in my Combos, and the SAN FRANCISCO ALL STAR BIG BAND. CONTACT ME FOR BOOKINGS 415-517-7688 OR CELL 415-517-7688!

Name: Dr. David A. Hardiman

Phone: (415) 517-7688

Related Links

https://www.dhardiman20012000wix.com/


View User Profile

Other Press Releases By Dr. David A. Hardiman

The Global Who's Who Honors Dr. David Alexander Hardiman for Outstanding Contributions to Music Education and Performance
Global Directory of Who’s Who Honors Dr. David Alexander Hardiman, Sr. for Six Decades of Jazz, Music Education and Cultural Leadership