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The Nimmons Tribute: Volume 1 - To The Nth

By Jack Bowers
January 1, 2021
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The Nimmons Tribute: Volume 1 - To The Nth

The big news in Canadian jazz circles in 2019 was that musician and educator

Phil Nimmons

clarinet
b.1923

" data-original-title="" title="">Phil Nimmons had retired—at age ninety-six. His decision marked the end of several eras that began more than seventy years ago and included forty-six years as a music teacher at the University of Toronto, ten acclaimed recordings as leader of his own groups, numerous honors as an educator and musician, a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 from the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN), and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, the country's highest honor in artistic, academic and social fields. As a composer, Nimmons has authored more than four hundred original jazz works and earned a coveted JUNO Award (the first ever given in the jazz category) in 1977 for his album The Atlantic Suite.

Almost from the moment Nimmons decided to step down, plans were under way for a tribute album, an undertaking spearheaded by, among others, his grandson,

Sean Nimmons

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Sean Nimmons, who as a professional jazz pianist is safeguarding the family's legacy. Sean Nimmons not only mans the keyboards on To the Nth, he also rearranged seven of his grandfather's splendid compositions (and added one of his own, "Rista's Vista") for an all-star octet whose heavyweight members include trumpeter

Kevin Turcotte

trumpet
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Kevin Turcotte, tenor saxophonist

Mike Murley

saxophone, tenor

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Murley and baritone saxophonist

Perry White

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">Perry White . Others in the ring and ready to rumble are saxophonist/clarinetist

Tara Davidson

saxophone, alto
b.1979

" data-original-title="" title="">Tara Davidson, trombonist

William Carn

trombone
b.1969

" data-original-title="" title="">William Carn, bassist

Jon Maharaj

bass
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Maharaj and drummer

Ethan Ardelli

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ethan Ardelli.

What springs to the fore immediately is the brightness and buoyancy that underscore every theme by Phil Nimmons whose musical philosophy is emblazoned on the genial opener, "Nufsicisum" (read it backward). With so much superlative music from which to choose, selections had to be carefully made, and Sean Nimmons managed that assignment well. "Night Crawler," another breezy charmer, leads to the picturesque "Harbours," the lone song chosen from The Atlantic Suite. "Swing Softly" does exactly that (with an occasional nod to the great

Gerry Mulligan

saxophone, baritone
1927 - 1996

" data-original-title="" title="">Gerry Mulligan), setting a well-ordered stage for the lovely ballad "Holly" (enriched by Davidson's soprano sax and White's bass clarinet) and gently shifting "Sands of Time." Sean Nimmons' loping "Rista's Vista," on which his piano is featured, refers to his grandfather's middle name, the ethereal "Liese" to the teacher who introduced the younger Nimmons to music and the piano—oddly enough, not his grandfather but grandmother, Noreen Liese Spencer Nimmons, a renowned classical pianist and educator. An unlisted string section enhances its charm. The last two tracks, it should be noted, include no brass or winds.

The music is smooth and seductive, soloists sharp and creative. A warm and engaging tribute to one of Canada's national treasures who, happily, is able to hear and appreciate it. And according to the album cover (which says Volume 1), there is even more to come. What could possibly top To the Nth? Stay tuned...

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Track Listing

Nufsicisum; Night Crawler; Harbours (from the Atlantic Suite); Swing Softly; Holly; Sands of Time; Rista��s Vista; Liese.

Personnel

Kevin Turcotte

trumpet

Sean Nimmons

piano

Mike Murley

saxophone, tenor

Perry White

saxophone, baritone

Tara Davidson

saxophone, alto

William Carn

trombone

Jon Maharaj

bass

Ethan Ardelli

drums

Album information

Title: Volume 1 - To The Nth | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Self Produced

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