Heather Hardy

Heather Hardy born May 22, 1965, Westport, CT

Heather “Lil’Mama Hardy” began studying piano at the age of six and in the fourth grade started taking violin lessons. In high school, she studied violin with Richard Errante, a student of renowned teacher Rafael Bronstein. At the Manhattan School of Music, she studied with Bronstein himself.

Heather next applied her talent in Greenwich Village, playing on the streets and in the subways. When classical training and precision collided head-on with improvisational, self-taught musicians, her unique style took root.

Moving to Tucson in 1992, she joined the Sam Taylor Band, originally as a featured violin soloist, but soon becoming a vocalist as well.

Juxtaposing violin whispers with tasty, slamming wah wah captivated audiences and helped the band win the 1995 Arizona Blues Showdown. That was followed by taking second place in the International Blues Talent Competition in Memphis and a European tour. By 1997, Heather had formed her Lil’Mama band, taking it to New York in 1998.

John Mayall considers her “absolutely brilliant”. Her first solo CD, “Violins”, was followed in 2000 by “I Believe”. Heather has also been a featured guest on dozens of other recordings, including Arizonans Sam Taylor, Lisa Otey, Gerry Glombecki and Stefan George.