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Antonio Hart

When Antonio Hart was in ninth grade, the music and art programs were cut out of the public schools. Antonio was devastated because the one thing that made school interesting was taken away from him. Hart had a friend that attended the then new Baltimore School for the Performing Arts, and somehow got Antonio an audition.

Most of the students that attended this school had been playing music all of their lives and had private instruction. This did not stop Antonio because he knew this would be the place for him. The night before the audition, Antonio spent hours on the phone with his friend learning a song from one of his music books. He did the best he could because he really could not read the level of music he was trying to play. The school was a hotel that had been made into one of the best learning institutions in the country. Hart was taken to a room to warm up and then, three teachers came in for the audition. He played his piece ‘Hungarian Dance #5’, then he played some scales for them. The teachers said thank you and that was it. Hart prayed everyday, but he did not think he would get in. One week to the day, he received a transfer letter in the mail; he had been accepted! Hart considers this the beginning of his life as a young man and musician.

This was such a change for Hart because this was a very serious school. The academics were hard and the music courses were very challenging. Hart found himself in summer school because he did not cut it that first year, but that was the only summer he went to summer school. After that adjustment period, Hart started to grow very fast. He gives much credit to his private teacher Chris Ford. ‘Mr. Ford took me from the beginning to a level much higher than the average high school student.’ At the school, Hart played a lot a classical music, but started to like Jazz. He felt more of a connection with Jazz because of the people he saw playing it and the chance to improvise.

Hart’s real study of Jazz began at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. There, he studied with Bill Pierce, Andy McGhee, and Joe Viola. The three teachers gave him the foundation he needed to develop into a professional musician. Hart spent many hours in the library listening to all his favorite musicians, and practicing and playing as much as he could. There were also many late hours in the practice room. Because of the lessons learned at the School for the Arts, Hart really thought it was important to have a balance between music and academia, so in his sophomore year he became a Music Education Major. These courses added other challenges that inspired Hart.

Antonio Hart: Educator and Monster Player

by R.J. DeLuke
August 1, 2022

The Queens Jazz Orchestra took the stage at Flushing Town Hall, a historic building in the jny: New York City borough dedicated to the arts, for an annual jazz concert celebrating the music of Charlie Parker and the career and life of Phil Schaap, a longtime Big Apple radio personality who hosted a show devoted to Parker for some 52 years. The man leading the top-notch band was Antonio Hart, director of jazz studies at Queens College's Aaron ...

Radio & Podcasts

Antonio Hart

by David Bixler
September 2, 2020

This episode features alto saxophonist Antonio Hart. We spoke shortly after the George Floyd murder and Antonio candidly shared his views on race, jazz, the future of jazz education and how he is keeping it together during the ongoing shutdown. ...

224

Album Review

Antonio Hart: Ama Tu Sonrisa

Read "Ama Tu Sonrisa" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
September 1, 2001

Since we last heard from the young alto player Antonio Hart, it was with the well-received album “Here I Stand" he cut for the former Impulse label. That record was a declaration of Hart's commitment to embracing an organic unity of music and life, and as such was prefaced by a quote from Alvin Ailey that evidently was to serve as Hart's mantra from there on out. Ailey had said “Each Artist must create his own unity according to his ...

271

Album Review

Antonio Hart: Here I Stand

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

Young alto player Antonio Hart seems to have spiced up his reverence for Cannonball Adderley with the more peppery fire of Arthur Blythe. Not a bad combination, but Hart's Impulse debut still leaves something to be desired. There's no shortage of professional, competent performances here, and his quartet is equally capable. Even guests like trombonist Robin Eubanks and the under-recorded Shirley Scott make brief, underwhelming appearances. Hart's lackluster originals and the variety of different groups make it clear that this ...

Festival

Jazz this week: Jazz St. Louis students with Antonio Hart, "Miles Fest 2018," and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
May 31, 2018

Post-Memorial Day, St. Louis' not-for-profit presenters mostly have wound down their season schedules and are transitioning to summer, but there still are some noteworthy jazz and creative music shows coming up in the next week. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, May 30 This week's “Grand Center Jazz Crawl" features saxophonist Jacob Alspach at The Stage at KDHX along with the jam session led by bassist Bob Deboo at the Kranzberg Arts Center and trumpeter Kasimu Taylor's band at The ...
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Festival

Jazz this week: Antonio Hart, Glenn Miller Orchestra, Norah Jones, St. Louis Piano Festival, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
June 1, 2017

With spring winding down and summer just ahead, this week's calendar of jazz and creative music is a bit back-loaded, with several of the more noteworthy musicians visiting our town scheduled to perform early next week rather than over the weekend. Fortunately, St. Louis' local musicians and singers also have a few things planned between now and then. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, May 31 With Jazz at the Bistro now on its weekends-only summer schedule, there's no live ...
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Performance / Tour

3rd Annual Emmanuel Baptist Church Holiday Jazz Vespers Featuring Antonio Hart And The Queens College Jazz Ensemble

Source: Emmanuel Baptist Church Jazz Vespers
December 16, 2014

Bring 2015 in on a high note with Antonio Hart at the Emmanuel Baptist Church Jazz Vespers On December 31st Emmanuel Baptist Church presents their 3rd Annual Holiday Jazz Vespers featuring the profound Antonio Hart and The Queens College Jazz Ensemble. Recognized as one of the most talented instrumentalists of his generation, members of Emmanuel Baptist Church and the Brooklyn Jazz community are excited to welcome Mr. Hart. He has played with some of the greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, ...
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Event

Reminder: WBGO Presents Antonio Hart At Kids Concert Saturday, 10/20

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations
October 19, 2012

WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM’s Award-Winning Kids Jazz Concert Series Continues with Antonio Hart Saturday, October 20, 12:30 pm, at Newark Museum NEWARK, NJ: WBGO Jazz 88.3 FM’s award-winning, free Kids Jazz Concert Series, which brings jazz culture and dynamic performances to young people in the Spring and Fall, continues this Saturday, October 20, at 12:30 pm when Antonio Hart brings In the Mood for Moody to the Newark Museum, 49 Washington Street. The concert is part of the TD James ...
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144

Performance / Tour

Starry Nights: The Antonio Hart Quintet on Friday, February 7, 2003 and Virginia Mayhew Group on Friday, March 7, 2003

Source: All About Jazz
February 5, 2003

168

Performance / Tour

Ella! Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Janis Siegel, Al Jarreau, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Antonio Hart, Music Director

Source: Michael Ricci
November 14, 2009

Grammy-winning vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Janis Siegel, and Al Jarreau are featured in this all-star celebration of the music of Ella Fitzgerald, with the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Antonio Hart, music director.

Jan 24, 2010 at 7:00 PM Concert Hall 1 hour, 45 minutes $20.00 - $45.00 Ella! Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Janis Siegel, and Al Jarreau, The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, Antonio Hart, Music Director One show only! Washington pays tribute ...
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