Music
Press
"Killer...Gene Hardy is the embodiment of improvisational wizardry... one of the finest tenor players in the business."
Bill Rymer / FREQ Magazine
"Gene's my right hand man - my Sam Butera!"
Michael Bublé / saloon singer
"The man's a monster!"
John Taylor / reviewer, CANADIANBLUES.CA
"Hardy cuts a figure in the tradition of the great R&B tenor men... cocky, sophisticated and rambunctious with loads of panache..."
Prakash John / bass, FUNKADELIC/LOU REED; founder, The LINCOLNS
"Gene Hardy is a master showman and a superb musician. Whether on CD or on stage, he delivers the goods!"
Mick Martin, NPR’s "The Blues Party" (KXJZ, Sacramento; KKTO, Tahoe City/Reno; KUOP. Stockton/Modesto)
"A saxophonist with great energy and flare for the unusual. Love his commitment"
Lance Anderson / organist & producer, MAKEITREAL RECORDS
"One of the finest horn players in the country"
Virgil Scott / star of SONGS MY SISTER PLAYED
"I have all his records!"
Dorothy Hardy / Gene's mom
"Gene Hardy stands at the summit of Canadian R&B saxophonists...a world-class player"
Gary Tate / TO NITE Magazine
"Big Gene! You're the one I like! Let's rock!"
Rompin' Ronnie Hawkins / legend, teen idol
"Get a load of those shoes!"
Ruth Livingstone / bystander, Sacramento CA
"Gene's horn speaks to the heart. He's an inspiration whenever I hear or share a stage with him."
Bill Johnson / guitarist, AMOS GARRET/DONALD RAY JOHNSON/CASH McCALL/SON SEALS
"Gene is one of the finest saxophonists I've ever worked with."
Chuck Jackson / singer, DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND
"Who are you? What are you doing on my stage?"
Donnie Walsh / founder, DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND
"Death defying sonic leaps, barnyard sounds, rapid fire staccato and a big fat smoky growl...don't be afraid; it's just your typical outing on a Gene Hardy solo!"
Raymond Mitchell / The NEWS
"Gene Hardy's got the look, the showmanship and - most importantly - the goods to deliver. He's one of the most entertaining, atmospheric and intelligent sax players on the scene. The energy he brings to a room is of the nuclear variety."
Al Kirkcaldy / host “Blue In The Face” CFFF 92.7 FM – Peterborough ON
"Gene Hardy is a sax machine!"
Jaymz Bee / host “Jazz In The City” JAZZ.FM 91.1 and RJO Bandleader
"Gene Hardy and his saxophone epitomizes the musical exsufflation - he can blow up a storm on any calm sea."
Phil Ball / CEO Iridescent Music Inc.
"A great old-school R&B tenor stylist in the tradition of Junior Walker and King Curtis."
Ira Dodson / SELECT PRESS
“BLOW!BLOW!BLOW! is a real swinger!”
Kjell Andreassen / host RADIO HOLSTEBRO Denmark
"Gene Hardy in one word...effervescent!"
Danny Marks / guitar guru & broadcaster; host “Bluz.Fm” JAZZ.FM 91.1 & CBC Radio
"Gene never let's the crowd off easy. When he and the saxophone connect, the magic begins - everyone comes under his spell."
Paul Wainwright / THE BIG BAND TRIO
"Gene Hardy is the best guitar player that ever picked up a saxophone!" guitarissimo Phil Kane aka The WINDSOR TWISTER
"Gene Hardy gives his all – every time!"
Brian “Colorblind” Blain / managing editor, Maple Blues Magazine
"Never mind the music - my kudos go to the wardrobe, hair & makeup people!"
Dr. Hilly Sands Esq. - about GENE HARDY
Discography
Gene Hardy - Blow!Blow!Blow!
Gene Hardy & Sparkjiver - Funky Bluesy Jazzy Churchy
Gene Hardy & Sparkjiver - Sparkjiver
Gene has performed on hundreds of recordings - for a partial list, visit www.genehardy.com and click on SESSIONS.
Photos
Bio
"Gene Hardy is a master showman and a superb musician. Whether on CD or on stage, he delivers the goods!"
Mick Martin - host / NPRs "The Blues Party"
(KXJZ, Sacramento; KKTO, Tahoe City/Reno; KUOP. Stockton/Modesto)
GENE HARDY
Chances are, youve heard him play.
Since the mid 90s, Gene has become the horn player of choice for many of Canadas best known exports & domestic successes. Hes recorded and performed in the US & Canada with Michael Bublé and is the latest addition to Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee Ronnie Hawkins band, The Hawks. In fact, Gene has recorded and performed with hundreds of acts - pop & rock, jazz & blues, country to punk and everything in between with the likes of Barenaked Ladies, Big Sugar, Colin James, Esthero, Rheostatics, Downchild Blues Band, Veda Hille, Kevin Quain & The Mad Bastards, Big Daddy G, Colin Linden, Bruce Cockburn, Ford Pier (of D.O.A.), Dutch Mason, Prakash John & The Lincolns, Bocephus King, The Big Band Trio, Tabarruk, Michael Kaeshammer, Dr Hilly Sands Esq. and Jamaicas Third World...thats just the tip of the iceberg!
(Want the complete list? Visit http://www.genehardy.com and click on BANDS)
In 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and again in 2005, Gene was nominated as Horn Player of the Year at the Canadas Maple Blues Awards in recognition of his extensive contributions to the blues genre, both live and in the studio.
His current CD, Blow!Blow!Blow! is receiving extensive airplay throughout Europe on both commercial & public radio. 2006 finds Gene busy writing & recording a follow-up CD featuring a killer band (including an 8 piece horn section!) and lots of surprise guest musicians.
Band Members
Links
