Richard Alan "Tardo" Hammer, born on February 26, 1958 in New York City, is an American jazz pianist who began playing piano at age five. He started his professional career in 1977 and performed with notable figures such as Warne Marsh, Richie Vitale, Bill Hardman, Junior Cook, Lou Donaldson, Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Lionel Hampton, Johnny Griffin, and Charlie Rouse. Hammer's first album under his own name, Hammer Time, was released in 1999 on Sharp Nine Records. He has also collaborated with various artists including John Marshall, Annie Ross, David Allyn, Abbey Lincoln, Earl Coleman, and Marilyn Moore. Subsequent albums include Tardo's Tempo (2004), Look Stop & Listen (The Music of Tadd Dameron) (2007) and Simple Pleasure (2013). Additionally, Hammer has performed in renowned jazz clubs across the USA, Europe, and Japan.
