Glenn Hardy performing live. Be sure to pause the MySpace music player at the top of this page before playing videos or other music selections.
Influences
Keith Jarrett, Uri Caine, Cecil Taylor, Marilyn Crispell, Matthew Shipp, Ben Folds, Tori Amos, John Adams, Phillip Glass, James Booker, Herbie Hancock, Artur Rubinstein, Bill Evans, Peter Serkin, Prokofiev, Berg, Schoenberg, Ives, Ravel, Granados, Manos Hajidakis, Nana Mouskouri, Otis Spann, Pete Johnson, Taj Mahal, Jelly Roll Morton, Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Rolling Stones, Cream, James Taylor, Richie Havens, Beatles...more...
I was born in Ventura, California, USA and began piano study at the age of four. I grew up in a musically diverse home where my older brother, an accomplished pianist and clarinetist, was a primary influence. Through access to his extensive record collection, I developed an early interest in a wide range of music including classical, blues, jazz, and big band. In the 60s, rock and folk music were added to the mix, setting the stage for a later career in which the cross-cultural and polystylistic musical tendencies of postmodernism would emerge.
I received a music scholarship to study piano performance at University of the Pacific Conservatory. Here, I began to investigate medieval and renaissance music, the harpsichord, music of other cultures, and various forms of improvisation. Here, also, my German piano instructor demanded that I stop wasting my time improvising and playing jazz, and "Get back to Brahms!" This was not to be.
Finally realizing that I was not destined to become the next Horowitz, and being unable to reconcile my compelling interest in music outside of the classical mainstream with the required course of study, I left the university and the world of piano recitals. I traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, and Europe, including pilgrimages to Salzburg, Bonn, and Vienna, the birthplaces of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Returning to California, I began performing and conducting early music in the San Francisco bay area. From 1975 to 1981 I owned and operated The Harpsichord Workshop of San Francisco, a center devoted to the building and maintenance of early keyboard instruments. During this time I also studied jazz piano, and began composing in a style which reflected my various musical influences.
In 1982, I left California for New England where, in addition to composing for piano, organ, chamber groups and orchestra, I collaborate with my wife, Margaret, a poet, on vocal and choral works. Together we have written THE FOUR ARTISTS for vocal soloists, piano, and chorus: a look at the relationship between artists and society, THE AGE OF EXPLORATION for soprano, cello, and harpsichord, which examines the roles of women in the renaissance and today, and IMAGES 1939/1993 for contralto, chorus, piano, and string orchestra, which explores modern genocide in Europe.
I live in Mystic, Connecticut, USA, where I continue to compose, improvise, teach, and perform. I have ten CDs of solo piano music. We have a son, Benjamin, 29, who lives in Chicago.
We are just sending out a message of hope. Please try to help in the cause.
Go to our website for the projects we support, info, or just watch the video to understand. We can all make a difference in this world of need if we just try.
We wish thank you for all the kindness, help, and support you have most graciously given to Airborne, the multi-cultural contemporary jazz group from New Haven, CT USA. Airborne the proclaimed Musical Peacemakers of Contemporary Jazz.
Winds of Change - The New CD by Airborne the Musical Peacemakers of Contemporary Jazz - Sends Out a Inspirational Message of Hope
Check out the Music Samples ,Video, and Reviews of new CD Winds of Change
hey bud thanks for finding me! glad I could share ^^. you've got some great stuff yourself. I really like the bouyancy of "number 6", very light yet animated. looking forward to hearing more, keep writing!
Happy New Year! I have a strong feeling that 2008 has wonderful things in store for you! Have a great new year!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks again for your friendship... you are incredible! Terr myspace/composertimoneil
Hey! Thanks for your friendship! Check out the greatest piano composer ever! Take a moment and check out Tim's music & New video! www.myspace.com/composertimoneil You will be happy that you did! t. Tim's #1 Fan www.myspace.com/composertimoneil
