Norman Symonds

For those of a similar name, see Norman Simmonds and Norman Simmons (disambiguation).

Norman Alec Symonds (23 December 1920 – 21 August 1998) was a Canadian composer, clarinetist, and saxophonist. A leading figure in the third-stream movement in Canada, he composed several jazz works which employed classical forms.

Life and career

Born in Nelson, British Columbia, Symonds grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, where he began playing the clarinet as a teenager. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy during World War II from 1938-1945. While stationed in Halifax he played with a dixieland band under the direction of saxophonist Charles 'Bucky' Adams.

In 1945 Symonds entered The Royal Conservatory of Music where he studied clarinet, piano, theory, and harmony through 1948. He then studied privately for several years with Gordon Delamont in Toronto. From 1949-1966 he worked actively as a clarinetist, alto and baritone saxophonist and arranger with several dance bands in Toronto, including those led by Leo Romanelli, Bobby Gimby, and Benny Louis. From 1953-1957 he played with and directed his own jazz octet whose members also included Ed Bickert, Ron Collier, Ross Culley, Bernie Piltch, Jack Richardson, and Jerry Toth. The ensemble notably performed at the Stratford Festival in 1956.