Phil Nimmons

Who is Phil Nimmons?

Phillip Rista "Phil" Nimmons, OC OOnt is a Canadian jazz clarinetist, composer, bandleader, and academic.

Born in Kamloops, British Columbia, the son of George Rista and Hilda Louise, he attended Lord Byng Secondary School, graduating in 1940. He then received a B.A. from the University of British Columbia in 1944. During his time in Vancouver, he played in the Ray Norris Quintet. From 1945 to 1947, he was a scholar at the Juilliard School of Music. From 1948 to 1950, he attended the Royal Conservatory of Music.

He joined the University of Toronto in 1973 as instructor in jazz techniques and is now Director Emeritus of Jazz Studies. Among his notable pupils are composers Jerry Toth and Rick Wilkins.

In 1976, he received the first Juno Award given in the jazz category for his album Atlantic Suite performed by his band Nimmons 'N' Nine Plus Six.

In 1993, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. He is also a recipient of the Order of Ontario. In 2002, he received the Governor General's Award, the highest civilian award, for his contributions to Canadian music.