Tardo Hammer

For more than a quarter of a century jazz pianist Tardo Hammer has been a major figure on the New York City bebop scene. Largely self-taught, Hammer was a full-fledged professional by the age of 16. Since then he was played with such jazz notables as Lionel Hampton, Lou Donaldson, Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Abbey Lincoln, Johnny Griffin, Bill Hardman, Junior Cook, and many more. Hammer is an oft-sought sideman, and since 1994 has been accompanist and musical director for the vocalist Annie Ross.

Hammer can currently be seen in many concerts and clubs throughout the US with his trio, which features on four acclaimed recordings for Sharp Nine Records. His most recent, Look Stop and Listen, was named one of the top CDs of 2007 in Downbeat, Jazz Times, the Village Voice and All About Jazz. In the past year he has performed at the Glasgow Jazz Festival, the Ascona Jazz Festival, and the Newport Jazz Festival. In addition, Hammer is an active jazz educator and is on the faculty at both the New School and the Lucy Moses School of Music in Manhattan.