In the 1950s, Hardin recorded a biographical narrative for Bill Grauer at Riverside which was issued in LP form. She would again appear on that label in 1961, participating in its project "Chicago: The Living Legends" as accompanist for Alberta Hunter and leader of her own hastily assembled big band. The Riverside recordings led to her inclusion in a 1961 NBC network special, "Chicago and All That Jazz", and a follow-up album released by Verve. In 1962, she began writing her autobiography with Chris Albertson, but she changed her mind when she realized the book would include experiences that might discomfit Louis Armstrong, so the project was delayed until his death. She died before finishing the book.