Christopher Simmons

DYNASTY

Christopher Simmons' late Father Herb Simmons, was a composer, arranger, pianist and jazz organist. He attended Kingston Vocational Collegiate and Vocational Institute (KCVI) founded in 1792, in Kingston, Ontario Canada. Surprisingly there was never an official school song; that is until at the age of 16, Herb composed the music and lyrics for “The KCVI Song”, which was then later harmonized for four voices by music teacher E.J. Brown in 1981. After high school, Herb led his own orchestra at Queen's University, played in the Hotel LaSalle Orchestra, the Jack Telgmann Orchestra, and during the second World War he played in RCAF station bands. Herb played semi-professionally throughout his entire life around southern Ontario, Florida and New York. Over the course of six decades, Herb witnessed the evolution of jazz piano and participated in it as well by being immeresed in the progression of jazz, from the ragtime of yesterday, to the mainstream of today. Herb made certain that every home the Simmons' lived in had at least one piano and a music room. Whether it be listening to old big band records, or jamming; music was front and center. Herb also gave back to the community by volunteering his time with Rotary International through local events and performing piano, marking milestones at meetings. Before his passing at the age of 88, Herb donated an acoustic piano to a Chapel at a hospital; which to this day, provides peace and comfort for those who seek to find solace in the healing power of music. 

Christopher’s paternal heritage is reflected in his extensive involvement in music adjudication, docent work, drum circles, education, fundraising, historical research, live performance, philanthropy, recording, royalty consulting, sound therapy, and volunteering.

EDUCATION

After studying drums and percussion in high school, Christopher enrolled as a drummer in the advanced applied music program at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He received drum instruction from the late great Dave James. Christopher then focused on piano as his principal instrument. His piano teacher was Nick Deutsch, who believed Christopher would excel. His teacher's intuition was correect, in that Christopher not only became the principal pianist of the Big Band, but also was hired by Mohawk College to be an assistant piano instructor in his graduating year. As an alumnus, Christopher has taught privately, conducted piano and keyboard workshops, is a Docent for high school music students, and is an expert in fine acoustic pianos. Christopher is also a grant recipient from the Canada Council for the Arts, which enabled him to live and study privately in New York City with two world-class late great jazz pianists and composers; Jim McNeely and Richie Beirach.

FUNDRAISING

During the worldwide COVID-pandemic, Christopher focused a generous amount of time working from his home studio/office, by giving back to symphonies in communities across North America. Christopher raised over one million dollars in charitable donations for symphonies which had a direct impact on aspiring young artists having access to community engagement programs. Christopher raised funds for world class symphonies such as; the Cleveland Orchestra, the Edmonton Symphony, the San Francisco Symphony, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Vancouver Opera. His knowledge and passion for music did not go unnoticed, as he was awarded the ‘Black-Diamond’ certification, from Arts Marketing, the highest level awarded for unprecedented salesmanship and customer service, throughout North America.

SOUND THERAPY

As a strong proponent in the power of healing through live music performance; Christopher was on the board and artist roster with Music Can Heal; a non-profit organization bringing uplifting, live music to those in need. He has also volunteered his time with the University Health Network (UHN) performing solo piano for the ‘Music for the Heart & Soul’ concert series in the DeGasperis Conservatory at Toronto General Hospital. Additionally, he has performed at the Dotsa Bitove Wellness Academy; which offers guests art-based programs, that include but not limited to, visual arts, dance, yoga theatre arts and music. Christopher has also assisted Soul Drums in team building circles, which inspires teamwork, through the power of collective synchronized drumming. Christopher has also performed several live-stream solo piano concerts at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre for the  ‘Music in the Atrium’ concert series.

HISTORIAN

As a passionate classical and jazz historian, Christopher is a lead docent with the MTSO, and is also administrator for the group ‘Late Great Jazz Pianists’ on Facebook; which is dedicated to pianists of the 20th century who are no longer with us. In recognition of their legacy, the group pays homage by posting articles, biographies, birthdates, broadcasts, interviews, obituaries, photos, recordings, reviews, transcriptions, and videos. The primary focus is pianists who contributed in improvisation as well as performance and composition. 

VOLUNTEERING

Christopher is honored to serve on the Board with the Toronto Symphony Volunteer Committee (TSVC), to which he is involved in several roles. He serves as Chair of the New Projects Committee and Vice-Chair of the Fine Wine Auction.  He also is a Lead Docent with the MTSO, which allows graduating high school music students the priviledge  to attend up close professional working and dress rehearsals and educational seminars with active members of the TSO. Christopher also serves as an escort for auditions and competitions for the tuition-free Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra (TSYO). The TSVC is committed to the financial support of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and to expanding awareness of its musical and educational programs, community engagement. 

Additionally he is very honored to be an adjudicator for both the ‘Band Aid Program’ and the ‘SiriusXM Canada Soundwaves Community Fund' with MusiCounts; which is Canada's premier music education charity, affiliated with CARAS and the JUNO Awards. MusiCounts celebrates musical excellence and puts musical instruments into the hands of kids that need them the most, while striving to see that all children and youth across Canada have access to quality instruments and inspiring music education.  

PHILANTHROPY

Christopher is also a TSO Maestro's Club donor, which is a group of music-loving dedicated philanthropists  and city-builders whose generous support plays a direct part in the success of one the world's finest symphony orchestras. 

MUSIC ROYALTIES

Christopher is extremely  active with Music Royalties Inc. as a Music Strategy Consultant.  The MRInc ‘roll-up’ business model is to increase value by constantly acquiring a diversified portfolio of strong revenue flowing music royalties, which enables the private company to pay out increasing dividends  to its private shareholders globally.

“May we always cherish music to a collective truth of universal understanding of healing, peace and joy. Rise in Love.” 

~ Christopher Simmons