Lloyd Hanson

Lloyd Hanson is a Canadian bassist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and recording engineer whose work has profoundly shaped the Canadian music landscape. Based in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Hanson is the founder of Reel North Recording Studios, a former hub of creative innovation in Atlantic Canada. Renowned for his stylistic diversity and technical ingenuity, Hanson’s work spans bebop, funk, heavy rock, avant-garde, and more.

A Visionary Recording Artist
Hanson’s debut solo album, The Great Debate (1988), stands as a testament to his technical brilliance and innovative vision. The album’s creation reflects Hanson’s resourcefulness and determination. After briefly attending the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1986, Hanson returned to Fredericton, feeling uncertain about his next steps. To channel his creativity, he began composing his own music, recording nearly all the tracks for The Great Debate in his parents’ unfinished basement using a Tascam 244 four-track cassette deck, known as a Portastudio.

“All the tracks on The Great Debate except for the title track and Yeah Right were recorded exclusively on that machine,” Hanson recalls. This grassroots, DIY production showcases his ingenuity and dedication, as Hanson performed nearly all the instruments on the record. The album fuses bebop, funk, rock, Latin, ambient, and avant-garde influences, embodying Hanson’s commitment to pushing musical boundaries.

Among the instruments Hanson used during this period was a six-string fretless F Bass with a remarkable history. Originally built for world-renowned bassist Alain Caron of Uzeb, this bass became Hanson’s main instrument for jazz and progressive folk performances throughout the 1990s. Hanson credits Caron as a major influence during his formative years and cherishes the moment he learned that Caron himself was impressed with The Great Debate.

Despite its modest production setup, The Great Debate received critical acclaim, including the highest jazz rating from The Record in Toronto. Hanson regards it as a personal milestone, blending his early experimental compositions with a deeply hands-on production style. The track "Thrill of the Chase," included in the 1992 Showcase New Brunswick compilation, was inspired by David Lynch's Twin Peaks and represented a pivotal shift in Hanson’s approach to composition, leading to his later work on A Different Drummer.

In 1993, Hanson released A Different Drummer under the collaborative project Lloyd Hanson’s Thrash Peninsula, featuring Fredericton-based virtuosos such as:

Brent Mason (River Songs, Hitcher on the Road)
Debbie Adshade (Alchemy, Nova Scotia Softseater Tour)
Geordie Haley (acclaimed jazz guitarist and educator, formerly of The Cosmic Quartet)
Chad MacQuarrie

This album showcased Hanson’s genre-defying experimental approach and remains a celebrated part of Fredericton's musical history.

A Celebrated Producer and Engineer
Hanson produced over 100 albums, spanning heavy rock, jazz, folk, and experimental genres. His work on Bucket Truck’s Waiting to Talk album stands out among his heavier rock productions. Listen here: https://citizenfreak.com/titles/269272-bucket-truck-waiting-to-talk

Notable achievements include producing Julie Doiron and Wooden Stars, which earned a Juno Award. listen here: https://citizenfreak.com/titles/276693-doiron-julie-and-the-wooden-stars-st.

Other highlights include:

Debbie Adshade’s Alchemy: A unique jazz-folk collaboration featuring Hanson on bass and arrangements.

Brent Mason’s Down to Heaven: A critically acclaimed album showcasing Hanson’s artistry as a producer, arranger, and musician. It represents a peak in his mid-1990s experimental work. " It's one that I am particularly proud of and probably shows the most involvement of myself as a musician and the kind of experimentation that I was engaging in as a producer and player and arranger in the mid 90s…"

Testimonial from Brent Mason:
"Lloyd has a unique ability to bring out the best in artists—his keen ear and understanding of how to serve the music is unparalleled."

Ned Landry’s North American Fiddling Champ
In the early 1990s, Lloyd Hanson produced North American Fiddling Champ, a definitive album by legendary New Brunswick fiddler Ned Landry. A three-time winner of the North American Fiddling Championship in Ontario during the late 1950s and early 1960s, Landry was signed to RCA Records and recorded several tracks in Toronto. However, he often expressed dissatisfaction with those early recordings. Hanson first got to know Landry through performances at United Way benefit shows organized by his father, Aubrey Hanson. These encounters eventually led to their collaboration when Landry, then in his early 70s, sought to create an album that truly represented his artistry.

Ned Landry’s North American Fiddling Champ stands out as a labor of love and a career highlight for Hanson, who describes the album as "documenting the work of a truly original New Brunswick musical artist." The album captures Landry's unique style and virtuosity, celebrating his deep roots in Maritime music culture. Landry was later honored with the Order of Canada, recognizing his contributions to Canadian music and culture.

One track from the album went on to be used as the theme for Weekend Mornings, a popular CBC Halifax music show broadcast across the Maritime provinces on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The significance of the album was further highlighted when CBC featured an interview with Hanson, where he recounted the story behind its creation and the lasting impact of Landry's work.

Composer and Arranger
Hanson’s compositions and arrangements have been featured in theater productions (Holy Ozone, Blue Days At Sea), jazz festivals, and national broadcasts. His ability to blend technical mastery with emotional depth has made his work resonate across diverse audiences.

Performer
Hanson has performed at major festivals, including the Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival and the Ottawa Jazz Festival, and collaborated with artists across genres. Known for his dynamic stage presence, audiences have described Hanson’s performances as transformative storytelling through music.

Audience Testimonial:
"Seeing Lloyd perform live is an experience—he doesn’t just play; he transforms the stage into a canvas for storytelling."

Educator and Mentor
Since 1983, Hanson has taught bass, contemporary harmony, and digital audio production, mentoring countless musicians and producers. His passion for education reflects his dedication to fostering talent and innovation in Canadian music.

A Career Defined by Innovation and Adaptation
Hanson’s career exemplifies adaptability and innovation. As the recording industry evolved, Hanson turned to personal passions like historical research and counseling. In 2010, he co-founded a practice specializing in therapy for soldiers with PTSD, applying his empathy and collaborative skills to a new field.

Once celebrated for his contributions to the Canadian music scene, Hanson has redirected his passion towards supporting military personnel grappling with PTSD. Drawing from his extensive experience as a record producer, Hanson has developed a unique therapeutic approach tailored to the needs of soldiers and veterans. His initiative, detailed on his website, emphasizes providing independent, personalized care, aiming to reach those who feel misunderstood or overlooked by traditional avenues. Hanson's dedication reflects a profound commitment to aiding wounded warriors on their path to healing.

A Lasting Legacy
Hanson retired from professional music production in the late 2000s, but his work continues to inspire. Albums like The Great Debate and A Different Drummer remain collector’s items, while Hanson’s remastering efforts aim to bring his groundbreaking music to new audiences.

"One thing that separates me from almost all other professional Canadian music producers is the extreme stylistic diversity."

Lloyd Hanson’s life and work embody a rare combination of technical mastery, creative experimentation, and a commitment to making an impact—whether through music, education, or human connection.
-Robert Williston, Jan 18, 2025

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