Herman "Hack" Bartholomew

Hack attended Booker T. Washington Senior High School in New Orleans where he was introduced to classical music. He studied for three years with Mr. George Genson the principal trumpet player in the New Orleans Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Upon receiving the John Phillip Sousa award for outstanding bandsman, under the direction of Ernest G. Chachere, "HACK" Bartholomew attended Grambling State University on a full music scholarship. After serving in the U.S. Air Force Band in Tocoma, Washington, Hack returned to New Orleans and toured with Joe Simon's band. He then moved to New York City and his first band consisted of two unknown musicians, Niles Rogers and Bernard Edwards who later became the producers and leaders of the the 70s band 'Chic'. Niles is known to say, "Hack hooked us up." After 14-years in NYC. He moved back to New Orleans, to his roots in gospel music. Post Hurricane Katrina, where although his house was saved, his church was destroyed, he could often be found playing gospel songs outside Cafe Du Mondo in the French Quarter. There are many videos on Youtube of him performing at Cafe Du Monde, and although not included on the soundtrack album, Hack was in Season-1, Episode 9 of the HBO Series Treme, playing Down By The Riverside. He is a member of United Fellowship Full Gospel Baptist Church in New Orleans where he plays trumpet when he can. As of February 2023 he was actively recoding new material.