Jazz pianist Edward Hardy, 93, reunited with band after decades

January 14, 2016

We are always thrilled here at Igloo to hear stories where music has touched people’s lives. This story recently in the news is a heart-warming read.

“A 93-year-old jazz pianist who played in a band for 30 years has been reunited with his group after decades. Staff at the Somerset care home where Edward Hardy lives placed an online ad for musicians to play with the jazz pianist in December.

More than 80 musicians answered the appeal including former bandmates of Mr Hardy, who has dementia. Sam Kinsella, of the Wookey home, said: “He couldn’t really comprehend it until they actually came together.”

The jazz band — Mr Hardy, a resident at Mellifont Abbey Care Home with his 91-year-old wife Betty, was a jazz pianist for decades, but had not played in nearly 25 years.

“I remember the day Ed started playing again. He hesitated for about 30 seconds and then started playing some amazing tracks to a ridiculous standard,” said Mr Kinsella, the home’s activities co-ordinator.

“It’s really amazing because even though he’s got dementia – you can name a tune and he can just play it.”

Dave Payne, 67, trumpeter, Arthur Rice, 66, guitarist and Roy Foster, 68, drummer

As the appeal for players “snowballed”, the home was inundated with calls from musicians, who included his former bandmates.

“They’re all from around the Somerset area but they had no idea where Ed was,” said Mr Kinsella.

“He hasn’t played with the band for the last 20 or 30 years and couldn’t really comprehend it until they actually came together but when they start playing together and talking about the old times – that’s when it started coming back to him.” ”

Read on the BBC Website

Categorised in: Health and Wellbeing, Piano/ Keyboard