Introduction
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" from his album of the same name (No. 14 Can., US No. 41 pop, No. 6 easy listening) originally created as music to a 1972 TV commercial for Salada tea, 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."
Hardy won a Juno Award in 1977 as instrumentalist of the year.
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
- Herbie Mann at the Village Gate (Atlantic, 1961)
- Herbie Mann Returns to the Village Gate (Atlantic, 1961 [1963])
- Right Now (Atlantic, 1962)
- Brazil, Bossa Nova & Blues (United Artists, 1962)
Solo albums
- Stop 33 (RCA Victor, 1967)
- Montage (GRT, 1972)
- The Homecoming (Attic, 1975)
- Maybe Tomorrow (Attic, 1976)
- Tell Me My Name (Attic, 1977)
- Reflections (Attic, 1978)
- As Time Goes By (Attic 1980)
- The Christmas Album (Attic, 1980)
- Love Me Closer (Attic, 1982)
- Chasing a Dream (Duke Street, 1983)
- Night Magic (Duke Street, 1985)
- Hagood Hardy (Duke Street, 1986)
- In My Heart (Duke Street, 1992)
- Morocco (Sackville, 1989)
- After Hours (Isis, 1995)
- Alone (Isis, 1995)
- Between Friends (Isis, 1996)
- My Song (Channel, 1996)