About

Lisa Hartt

Lisa Hartt’s life and work are deeply rooted in the legacy of her remarkable parents. Her mother, Barbara Eisenhardt, was a passionate advocate for social justice and an active participant in the Civil Rights Movement. Her father, Jan Eisenhardt, a Danish-born Canadian soldier, athlete, and public servant, was the head of Canada’s National Physical Fitness Program in the 1940s.  His visionary leadership laid the foundation for today’s public fitness initiatives across the country.

Carrying forward these values of advocacy, wellness, and service, Lisa has devoted her own life to creativity, compassion, and community—an enduring tribute to the principles she was raised with.

Lisa’s journey as a singer-songwriter is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the enduring power of music. From her early days in Montreal’s folk scene to commanding international stages, Lisa has continuously evolved her artistry across decades.

After taking a hiatus from music to care for her husband, Lisa returned to songwriting to heal following his passing—rediscovering a vital part of herself in the process. This emotional return led to the creation of four deeply personal songs: on a soon to be released EP titled Hiraeth.  The songs are I Choose Love, Best Friend, Nobody’s Wife, and Quiet Spaces—each one reflecting a distinct chapter of her life.

In 2022, Lisa made a powerful return to the spotlight with her comeback EP Arrival, produced by Chris Birkett. Blending folk, soul, jazz, and rock influences, the EP chronicles her transformative journey through 40 years of sobriety and recovery. The lead single, Don’t Tell Me How I Feel, written during the pandemic, is a raw and poignant anthem of healing, growth, and self-discovery based on the loss of Lisa’s younger brother Christoper, who died as a direct result of mental illness.  This has led Lisa to be an ambassador to Birdsong, a charity whose mission is to provide opportunities to musicians and creative artists faced with the challenges of mental illness.

Lisa’s resurgence has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. A tour in Sweden led to a creative partnership with legendary guitarist Janne Schaffer and songwriter Jonas Gideon. Together, they are crafting Songs From the Hireath, a forthcoming EP set for release in Spring 2025.

This exciting new project follows her March 2024 release of The Night I Learned to Dance, inspired by her early performances in Egypt with The Christine Lee Band and released through Dance Plant Records.

In 2023, Lisa headlined Sweden’s Lillaby Festivalen, performing a heartfelt tribute to Swedish music icon and former collaborator Ted Gärdestad, alongside ABBA and Bruce Cockburn. Her encore invitation in 2024 reaffirmed her timeless artistry and global resonance. That same year, she performed at the Canadian Embassy in Stockholm, where she was honoured with the prestigious Cashbox Legacy Award, and graced the stage at the Music Days Festival in Kristianstad.

These recent milestones build upon a storied career. As the frontwoman of The Lisa Hartt Band, she released the acclaimed 1976 album Starwatcher, which garnered a Juno Award nomination for Most Promising Female Artist. The album’s standout single, Old Time Movie, remains a defining piece of her legacy.

Career Highlights

  • 2022: Released Arrival, an EP chronicling her recovery journey; includes the single Don’t Tell Me How I Feel.
  • 2024: Released The Night I Learned to Dance via Dance Plant Records, inspired by her time with The Christine Lee Band in Egypt.
  • 2023–2024: Performed at Lillaby Festivalen, the Music Days Festival in Kristianstad, and the Canadian Embassy in Stockholm.
  • 2024: Received the Cashbox Legacy Award in Stockholm.
  • 2025 (Upcoming): Set to release Songs From the Hartt, created in collaboration with Jonas Gideon and Kevin Fisher.
  • 1976: Juno nominee for Starwatcher and its hit single Old Time Movie.
  • 1960s: Toured Europe with the all-female big band The Christine Lee Set.
  • Featured in CBC specials such as Ladies Night with Anne Murray and Phoebe Snow.
  • Collaborated with industry legends including Phil Ramone, Ralph Murphy, and Ted Gärdestad.

With a career spanning continents and generations, Lisa Hartt continues to inspire with her heartfelt performances, fearless storytelling, and unwavering dedication to her craft.

She lives by the ethos:
“Don’t die while the song is still in you.”
And indeed, Lisa’s music is more alive than ever bridging the past and future while celebrating the strength of the human spirit.