Nelson Symonds (September 24, 1933 – October 11, 2008) was a Canadian jazz guitarist born in

Upper Hammonds Plains Upper Hammonds Plains (2011 population: 1,840) is a Canadian suburban community located in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. The community is situated along Pockwock Road and is considered one of the most historic communities for Black ...

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia ( ; ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is one of the three Maritime provinces and one of the four Atlantic provinces. Nova Scotia is Latin for "New Scotland". Most of the population are native Eng ...

Biography

After pursuing the

banjo The banjo is a stringed instrument with a thin membrane stretched over a frame or cavity to form a resonator. The membrane is typically circular, and usually made of plastic, or occasionally animal skin. Early forms of the instrument were fashi ...

at a young age, Symonds switched to the guitar. He gained his first performance experience touring on a travelling carnival from 1955 to 1958 throughout the United States. Upon returning to Canada, Symonds settled in

Montreal Montreal ( ; officially Montréal, ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-most populous city in Canada and List of towns in Quebec, most populous city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian ...

in 1958 and played in the group 'The Stablemates' led by Alfie Wade Jr. During the 1960s and 1970s Symonds played mainly with bassist

Charlie Biddle Charles Reed Biddle, (July 28, 1926 – February 5, 2003) was an American-Canadian jazz bassist. He lived most of his life in Montreal, organizing and performing in jazz music events. Early life and education Biddle was born and grew up in ...

and drummer Norman Marshall Villeneuve at venues such as The Black Bottom and Rockhead's Paradise. During the 1970s, Symonds and Biddle performed as a duo in numerous Laurentian resorts. Throughout his 30-plus year career, he played at all of the major jazz venues in Montreal including Upstairs, Biddles and Cafe La Bohème among others. Symonds reportedly resisted recording until the 1990s, cutting three collaborative albums, and one as leader. Symonds played a

Gretsch Gretsch is an American company that manufactures musical instruments. The company was founded in 1883 in Brooklyn, New York by Friedrich Gretsch, a 27-year-old German immigrant, shortly after his arrival to the United States. Friedrich Gretsc ...

Sal Salvador Sal Salvador (November 21, 1925 – September 22, 1999) was an American bebop jazz guitarist and a prominent music educator. He was born in Monson, Massachusetts, United States, and began his professional career in New York City. He eventually mo ...

model guitar. Symonds died in Montreal, Quebec due to a heart attack at the age of 75, twelve years after undergoing a

quadruple bypass Coronary artery bypass surgery, also known as coronary artery bypass graft (CABG, pronounced "cabbage") is a surgical procedure to treat coronary artery disease (CAD), the buildup of plaques in the arteries of the heart. It can relieve chest pai ...

that put an end to his musical career.

Discography

As leader

*''Getting Personal'', (

Justin Time Records Justin Time Records is a Canadian record company and independent record label founded in Montreal by Jim West. It was established in 1983 and specialises in jazz and blues. Although Justin Time initially recorded Canadian musicians such as Olive ...

, 1992)

As featured soloist

* Bernard Primeau Jazz Ensemble, ''Reunion'' (Amplitude, 1990) * Dave Turner Quartet, ''Live - Thank You For Your Hospitality'' (DSM, 1995) * Dave Turner / Nelson Symonds, ''The Pulse Brothers'' (DSM, 1997)

Filmography

Symonds is the subject of two short documentary films by Mary Ellen Davis *''Nelson Symonds Jazz Guitarist'', (1984) *''Nelson Symonds Quartet'', (1984)

Awards

*1996: Oscar Peterson Prix De Jazz Award,

Montreal Jazz Festival The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal ( en, Montreal International Jazz Festival) is an annual jazz festival held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Jazz Fest holds the 2004 Guinness World Record as the world's largest jazz fest ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Symonds, Nelson 1933 births 2008 deaths Canadian jazz guitarists Canadian male guitarists 20th-century Canadian guitarists 20th-century Canadian male musicians Canadian male jazz musicians Justin Time Records artists