Gene Hardy & SPARKJIVER Sparkjiver's leader & tenor sax whiz confesses that he's "...probably stolen more from (Led Zeppelin's) Jimmy Page than from John Coltrane...". Now add to that some Texas-style barrel-house tenor, say Willis "Gatortail" Jackson or Arnett Cobb ...a little Sam Butera...a dose of Maceo Parker... a dash of Lenny Pickett...some "yackity-sax-man" Boots Randolph...and healthy supply 60's bump & grind take-it-off-tenor. He sells the sizzle! SPARKJIVER is the brainchild & long awaited dream-come-true for Gene: a forum for his fondness for blues, funk, pop, jazz & gospel, all neatly wrapped up in a trio of fellow sidemen. He has performed & recorded with literally hundreds of groups including: BARENAKED LADIES, MICHAEL BUBLE, ESTHERO, BIG SUGAR, COLIN JAMES, DOWNCHILD BLUES BAND, RONNIE HAWKINS, TYLER YAREMA & HIS RHYTHM, RHEOSTATICS, The LINCOLNS, HOCK WALSH, ROGER CLOWN, VEDA HILLE, QUE VIDA, KEVIN QUAIN & The MAD BASTARDS, BIG DADDY G, FORD PIER (of DOA), DUTCH MASON, STOOPY, TABARRUK, MICHAEL KAESHAMMER, The BOURBON TABERNACLE CHOIR and Jamaica's THIRD WORLD. He typically performs well over 300 shows a year. For the past 5 consecutive years, Gene's been nominated as HORN PLAYER OF THE YEAR by the Canadian Blues Awards in recognition for his extensive contributions, both live and in the recording studio. QUIPS, QUOTES & EPIGRAMS about GENE HARDY "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 Buble / 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.