This past April, a giant in the world of Canadian music passed peacefully into the great beyond- leaving behind a massive legacy that lives through generations of musicians, teachers and audiences. This loss is personal for us at the CLC, as Phillip Nimmons was the last living founding member of our organisation.
Often called “the dean of Canadian jazz,” Nimmons was a force of nature at the centre of Canadian music for decades. In addition to founding the CLC, he was instrumental in the creation of the Canadian Music Centre, and influenced thousands of musicians through the crucial role he played in developing music education programs at the University of Toronto, the University of Western Ontario, the University of New Brunswick, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and in 2002 he received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for his lifetime contribution to Canadian music.
“Like many others, I was amazed by Nimmons’ inexhaustible energy as I saw him in the halls at the University of Toronto, continuing to give lectures to jazz students in his late 90’s. Others may remember him best for his extensive trailblazing in jazz education, performance and composition – including his seminal Atlantic Suite, or winning the first Juno award for jazz in 1977. We are thrilled that Nimmons’ dedication to music-making lives on through his daughter Holly Nimmons, CEO of the Canadian Music Centre, and through the Phil Nimmons Legacy Fund established in his memory.”
- Tyler Versluis, President, Canadian League of Composer
The CLC staff, board, and membership extends its deepest condolences to Phil’s children Holly, Carey, and Spencer; his grandchildren Sean, Justin, Melinda, Sasha, Phillip, and Colleen; and his great-grandchild Atticus.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking those who wish to honour Nimmons by contributing to the Phil Nimmons Legacy Fund, established at the Canadian Music Centre. Those who wish to share a memory or send a message to the Nimmons family may do so by visiting the contact page at philnimmons.ca. A celebration of life will be planned in the coming months.
