Mark Laver on Phil Nimmons' "Atlantic Suite", and Nimmons 'N' Nine

Mark Laver explores the seminal work of legendary composer Phil Nimmons: the “Atlantic Suite”, its themes and inspiration, and his band Nimmons ‘N’ Nine.
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Phil Nimmons, often referred to as the “Dean of Canadian jazz”, is renowned for his work as a clarinetist, bandleader, composer, and educator. A founding member of the Canadian League of Composers, he also co-founded the Advanced School of Contemporary Music with Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown. Nimmons was a faculty member at the University of Toronto, Jazz Studies program for over 45 years. Phil was awarded the inaugural JUNO Award for best jazz album in 1977. In 2001, Phil was inducted into the International Jazz Educator’s Hall of Fame, and in 2002, received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement for his enduring contribution to the performing arts in Canada.
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Saxophonist and ethnomusicologist Mark Laver is an Associate Professor of Music at Grinnell College, where he directs the jazz band and teaches classes on jazz and popular music. As a performer, Dr. Laver has shared the stage with such leading jazz and improvising artists as Lee Konitz, William Parker, NEXUS, Kurt Elling, Nicole Mitchell, Antonio Sanchez, and Phil Nimmons. Dr. Laver’s current research is a biography of iconic Canadian clarinetist, composer, and educator Phil Nimmons. His first book, Jazz Sells: Music, Marketing, and Meaning (Routledge 2015), explores the use of jazz music in advertising, marketing, and branding. His second book project was a collection of essays, co-edited with Dr. Ajay Heble, called Improvisation and Music Education: Beyond the Classroom (Routledge 2016). His academic articles have appeared in Jazz Perspectives, Black Music Research Journal, Popular Music and Society, Popular Music, and Critical Studies in Improvisation. His work has been featured or profiled in The Washington Post, The Des Moines Register, Salon, Fortune, Times for Higher Education, TEDx Grinnell, USA Today College, BBC Radio 3, and CNN.com. Dr. Laver is a Research Associate with the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation. He completed his PhD in Ethnomusicology at the University of Toronto in 2011.
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AUDIO CREDITS
Intro: “Chance Encounter”, composed by Daniel Jamieson. Performed by Danjam Orchestra, on the album “Sudden Appearance” (2011) OA2 Records. danjam.ca/
Example 1: “Harbours”, composed by Phil Nimmons. Performed by the Nimmons 'N' Nine Plus Six on the album “Atlantic Suite” (1976). Sackville Records.
• The Atlantic Suite - H...
Examples 2-3: “Tides”, composed by Phil Nimmons. Performed by the Nimmons 'N' Nine Plus Six on the album “Atlantic Suite” (1976). Sackville Records.
• The Atlantic Suite - T...
Closing: “Crunchy Peanut Butter”, composed by Daniel Jamieson. Performed by Danjam Orchestra, on the album “Sudden Appearance” (2011) OA2 Records. danjam.ca/
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PHOTO CREDITS
"Atlantic Suite" album artwork by Phil Nimmons

[@phildingman5608]

As a grade 11 music student in Oakville, Ontario, I was invited to watch the studio recording of this album. It left an indelible impression. I realize now what an honour and rare opportunity it was.

[@JazzComposersPresent]

Wow Phil, what an amazing experience. Who was your music teacher that managed to set that up?
Mark, @marklaver7352, had you heard this story before?