John Studebaker "Jack" Hardy, born on November 23, 1947, was an American singer-songwriter from Greenwich Village, New York. He began his career in the mid-1970s by hosting songwriter's circles at his apartment, which became a hub for artists. Hardy released his debut album, Jack Hardy, in 1971, followed by notable works such as The Mirror of My Madness (1976) and White Shoes (1982). He founded the Fast Folk Musical Magazine in 1982. Hardy's lyrical writing often carried political undertones, and his music reflected Celtic elements. Throughout his career, he toured extensively on both sides of the Atlantic and influenced numerous songwriters, including Suzanne Vega and John Gorka. Hardy received the Kate Wolf Memorial Award in 1996 from the World Folk Music Association. He passed away on March 11, 2011, due to complications from lung cancer.
