Composer, arranger, vibraphonist, pianist and percussionist Hagood Hardy was born in Angola, Indiana in 1937 to an American mother and a Canadian father. After moving to Canada as an infant, he was raised in Oakville, Ontario and studied piano and vibraphone after being introduced to music by his grandfather, who was a county court judge in Brantford. In the 1950's, while studying at the University of Toronto, he played in clubs and made appearances on CBC-TV with his own band. In 1961 he moved back to the States, where he played vibraphone for Gigi Gryce, Herbie Mann, Martin Denny and George Shearing, and made appearances on The Steve Allen Show, The Tonight Show, The Mike Douglas Show and The Tennessee Ernie Ford Show. After returning to Toronto, Hardy formed a trio with bassist Ian Henstridge (who also played with Lenny Breau) and drummer Ricky Marcus, later adding some backup singers to form The Montage, a jazz-pop crossover ensemble.

During the 1970's, Hardy moved into writing film, radio and television scores, as well as advertising jingles, most notably an instrumental number for Salada Tea he later revised into the single "The Homecoming", which was an international hit and garnered him Juno Awards in 1975 and '76 for Best Instrumental Artist. Towards the end of the '70's and into the '80's, Hardy performed as part of a small ensemble or as a soloist with symphony orchestras in programs of his best-known film and television scores (including music from Road To Avonlea, Anne of Green Gables and The Silent Sky), and remained an active musician, playing in clubs and recording with a hard-bop sextet until his death on Jan. 1st, 1997.

The Stop 33 this album refers to is a former nightclub on the top floor of Toronto's Sutton Place, where Hardy's late-'60's trio played. All three numbers I've posted here are fairly light, breezy jazz, with the trio supplemented by session musicians on flute, piccolo, guitar and French horn. Hargood's work on the vibes is first-rate throughout.

After You've Gone
Feelin' Good
It's Not Unusual

This Hagood Hardy LP, a Canadian Talent Library release, is more of the same great easy-listening vibe. As mentioned above, the title track won him a Juno award in 1975. The second track here, Travellin' On, features Hagood on vocals.

The Homecoming
Travellin' On