Kevin Hearn & Hugh Marsh
Biography Kevin Hearn & Hugh Marsh
Kevin Hearn
A gifted composer, in-demand collaborator, and ever-active musical force with zero interest in creative stagnancy, Hearn cut his teeth collaborating with the likes of Look People, Corky and the Juice Pigs and revered art-rock outfit Rheostatics before formally joining Barenaked Ladies in 1995. As the group’s profile swelled in the ensuing years, he explored new sonic ground with a series of innovative and imaginative solo albums. One of the most respected and sought-after Toronto musicians of the past 30 years, Hearn’s projects always attract brilliant collaborators, including Ron Sexsmith, Dan Hill, Michael Ray of the Sun Ra Arkestra, Carole Pope, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Alan Doyle, The Persuasions, Violent Femmes, Colin Hay and drummer Rob Kloet (the Nits). One of his most rewarding creative and personal relationships of all was with the legendary Lou Reed, for whom Hearn acted as musical director and keyboardist from 2007 until his passing in 2013. Hearn was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2018 as part of Barenaked Ladies. He released his ninth album, the captivating and compelling Calm and Cents, which was nominated for Instrumental Album of the Year at the 2020 JUNO Awards. Hearn also re-released his entire solo catalogue, which dates back to 1997’s debut Mothball Mint, and included a first-time digital release of the sold-out 2019 Record Store Day Canada project Kevin Hearn & Friends Present: The Superhero Suite, nominated by the JUNO Awards for Album Artwork of the Year.
Hugh Marsh
You may not know the name, but you have likely heard the sound of master violinist Hugh Marsh on various albums and in many film scores alike. Having been referred to as a 'sound poet’ and a ‘sound bender,’ Marsh refers to himself as a 'musical conversationalist.’ Juno Nominee, four-time winner of the Jazz Report Award, three-time winner of the Canadian Jazz Awards for Fiddle/Violin Player of the Year and Canadian Screen Award Nominee for Film Scoring. Marsh has released six of his own albums, has played on over 250 albums and has performed with some of the biggest names in the music industry. Marsh toured for years with Bruce Cockburn and has performed with greats such as Bonnie Raitt, Robert Palmer, Iggy Pop, Barenaked Ladies and more. Since 2015 Marsh has been a member of the Toronto-based band the Rheostatics.
