Hagood Hardy

Hugh Hagood Hardy
Born (1937-02-26)February 26, 1937
Angola, Indiana
Died January 1, 1997(1997-01-01) (aged 59)
Hamilton, Ontario
Occupation Composer, arranger, vibraphonist, pianist, percussionist

Hugh Hagood Hardy, CM (February 26, 1937 – January 1, 1997) was a Canadian composer, pianist, and vibraphonist. He is best known for the 1975 single, "The Homecoming"[1] from his album of the same name, and for his soundtrack to the Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea films.

Early life

Hardy was born in Angola, Indiana. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Trinity College in the University of Toronto. He also studied music privately in Toronto with Gordon Delamont. In the 1960s he played vibraphone in the bands of Martin Denny, Gigi Gryce, Herbie Mann, and George Shearing.

Career

Hardy performed with Herbie Mann on the latter's 1961 recording Herbie Mann at the Village Gate. The session includes the jazz standard "Comin' Home Baby" & the Gershwin classic, "Summertime". This version of "Summertime" was later "covered" by the 90's rock group Sublime in their hit song "Doin' Time."

In 1972 Hardy's tune "The Homecoming" was used as music to a 1972 TV commercial for Salada tea. It was later included on an album of the same name, and was released as a single in 1975. It climbed the charts, rising to 14 in Canada, and in the US number 41 on the pop and number 6 on the easy listening charts.

Hardy won a Juno Award in 1977 as instrumentalist of the year.[2]

In 1992, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada.

In the 1995 provincial election he was the candidate for the Ontario Liberal Party in the riding of York South and faced local MPP and Premier of Ontario Bob Rae. The Ontario Liberals faltered in the election, and Hardy lost to Rae.

His mother was an American citizen. His great-uncle was Arthur Sturgis Hardy, a Liberal politician who served as Ontario's fourth premier from 1896 to 1899.

Hardy died from lymphoma at the age of 59; he was survived by four children.

Discography

with Herbie Mann

Solo albums

References

  1. ↑ Martin Melhuish (2 October 1976). "Striving for Success without Leaning on Government". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.: 60–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  2. ↑ Martin Melhuish (23 April 1977). Juno 1977. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 76–. ISSN 0006-2510.


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