Hagood Hardy, Canada's foremost composer of contemporary instrumental music, passed away January 1, 1997 at the age of 59.

A pianist and vibraphonist, Hagood will be remembered best for "The Homecoming," his international hit single from the mid-1970's, and for his soundtrack to the "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Avonlea" films. He received Billboard magazine's Instrumental Artist of the Year award in 1976, and he remained a popular concert draw across his homeland until his death.

In addition to his formidable musical career, Hagood Hardy was a humanitarian who gave countless hours to many causes in his native Canada. For this he was awarded the Order of Canada, the highest honor a Canadian citizen can receive. He also earned three Juno Awards and one Gemini Award (Canada's equivalents of the Grammys and the Oscars); numerous gold, platinum, and double platinum records; and, in 1996, the Toronto Arts Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award.

After growing up in Oakville, Ontario, and attending the University of Toronto, Hagood got his start as a jazz vibist in New York City during the 1960's, playing with such greats as Herbie Mann (on "Comin' Home Baby"), Martin Denny, and George Shearing. He later returned to Canada and began writing music for film and television. In all, he scored more than 50 movies and television shows, always taking the approach that works composed for visual mediums should succeed on a musical level, too. "We live in an age when music for film has become almost sound effects," he once told an interviewer. "But there's nothing that says music can't be melodic, emotional, and stand on its own." "The Homecoming" was a splendid example of this: Hagood first thought up the tune as a jingle for Salada Tea. But soon, when people everywhere were humming his memorable melody, Hagood released it as a full-length single that went on to sell over a million copies.

In recent years, Hagood was again working within the jazz world, leading a sextet and trio performances in Canadian clubs. Of his extensive discography, "Morocco" (recorded in 1989 and released in Canada on the Sackville label), is acclaimed as among his best jazz works. Meanwhile, Hagood also forged a partnership with a small U.S. independent label, Channel Productions, which re-released much of his best work, some of it for the first time in the United States. His recordings on Channel include "Walk With Me" (a greatest-hits compilation featuring "The Homecoming"), the "Anne" soundtrack, and "My Song."

Hagood Hardy had a rare gift -- the ability to translate life's many passages into transcendent music. "In fact, the one constant I'd like to feel runs through all my music -- no matter what the starting point -- is an appeal to reflection," he once said. "I think in general we're all going too fast. It's time to slow down, re-examine, and reflect. If this is the message people get from my music, then I've succeeded."