Stewart Hardy is an internationally-acclaimed performer, composer and teacher with numerous recordings and broadcast credits to his name. Based in the North East of England, a love for the traditional music of Northumberland and Scotland shines through his repertoire and influences his own compositions. Stewart’s teaching is diverse, and has covered many projects from international workshops to the Newcastle University folk degree course. He spent six years as an influential member of the very popular John Wright Band and has toured throughout the world playing traditional folk, pop, rock, jazz, country and western swing music.
JSArts Residential Courses 2024
We’ve had a great time running the JSArts courses in 2024 and the final event at Rydal Hall in the Lake District was a fabulous way to finish off the year. Many thanks to all those who have attended this year and contributed so much to making the courses such a joy to do. I hope we see as many of you as possible in the coming year.
More information can be found on the JSArts page, along with provisional dates for 2025. Do get in touch with Ali to be notified when booking forms are available.
Sadly, like many other small businesses, we have had to suspend CD and book sales to the EU and Northern Ireland for the time being. This is due the new GPSR regulations that came into force in December 2024 regarding shipping products from the UK to the EU. We hope this issue will be resolved in the coming months. Please continue to order Downloads if you live in the EU or Northern Ireland.
Latest Newsletter
For up to date information on concerts, workshops and merchandise, you can read the latest newsletter. You can also sign up here to receive it directly to your inbox each month:
“Beautifully and stylishly played, good technique serves the music, never being used for mere flash.”
Tom Bell-Richards, reviewing Hawthorn’s Sweeter Shade in Fiddle On.
“Hardy has built up an enviable international reputation for his fiddle playing, venturing easily across genre boundaries… Whether drawing from the Scottish and Irish piping repertoire, from Tyneside’s rich heritage of tunes, or forging their own compositions from these traditions, Hardy and McLaughlin show themselves to be players of immense empathy and spirit.”
Oz Hardwick, reviewing Root 2 in R2.
“Hardy’s fiddling is technically nigh perfect, and his solo performance is enough to hold the attention for over an hour on this CD”
Alex Monaghan, reviewing Hawthorn’s Sweeter Shade in Living Tradition.
“Hardy brings a terrific range of colourful expression to his playing, from the gentle, poignant lilt of his slow airs, through the slippery hornpipe bowing that lights up The Locomotive and the swooping, steely poise of his own Thunderfoot.”
Rob Adams, reviewing Root 2 Herald Scotland.
“Stewart Hardy is pre-eminent among the many fine fiddle tutors with whom I’ve worked. His teaching is characterised by meticulous, clearly-focused preparation, effective structure, attention to detail, rigour, positive encouragement, good humour, patience, kindness and care. He has demanding yet reasonable expectations of his students, and makes sure his workshops are enjoyable, purposeful and productive. Thus his students, at all levels, become better and more confident players. He is the complete professional.”
Folkworks Education Director (1993-2007)
Recordings
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Upcoming Events
Feb9Sun7:00 pm Phoenix Folk: An Evening with… S... @ On ZoomPhoenix Folk: An Evening with… S... @ On ZoomFeb 9 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pmIt was lovely to be asked again by Maurice and Marina of Phoenix Folk to join them for one of their “An Evening With…” sessions. Once again, I’ll be playing a short solo set and...Mar21Friall-day JSArts Fiddle Technique @ Rydal HallJSArts Fiddle Technique @ Rydal HallMar 21 – Mar 23 all-dayJSArts Fiddle Technique 21st – 23rd March 2025 Rydal Hall, Ambleside LA22 9LX 3.00 pm start and finish time. £402 fully inclusive (except bar drinks) Join Stewart in the beautiful surroundings of Rydal Hall in... Facebook Feed
1 week ago
We start back on Zoom this evening for Block 1 of 2025 at North East Fiddle School. It's not too late to join us! Head to the NEFS website shop to purchase your place, or send a message for more information!🎻This content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.1 month ago
🎧 The Tune VaultHaving recently deposited The Locomotive into The Tune Vault, it seems only logical to follow it with the cheerful and driving reel that Frank McLaughlin and I invariably play after it in our live set - James Hill’s 'James Brown' (available on my website as a free resource to download, including audio files and a worksheet with suggestions for bowing and ornamentation).🎼 James Brown (James Hill) ... See MoreSee LessJames Brown (James Hill) | The Tune Vault
James Brown (James Hill)- The Tune Vault by Stewart HardyA fabulously cheerful and driving reel by James Hill, possibly named for the same Tyneside publican...2 months ago
🎶 Tonight!It's not to late to sign up on the website. Links to notation and the Zoom call will be sent by email, so you can join us online this evening. Lots of fabulous tunes, with harmony and chord suggestions if you want to try them! 😊 ... See MoreSee LessThis content isn't available at the moment
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it, or it's been deleted.Tags
30 Years Collection Bill Elliot Bottle Bank Band CD Launch Community Strings Fiddle Day Frank McLaughlin George Welch Graham Dixon Halsway Manor HISS Holly & Ivy James Hill Jimmy's Fiddle JSArts Maddison's Thread Mick West Trio Minstrelsy Morpeth Gathering North East Fiddle School Northumbrian Shop Solo TFA The Tune Vault Tyneside Fiddle Alliance