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 The world said goodbye to thee legendary guitarists in 2008, Joe Beck. Nelson Symonds and Hiram Bullock. All three men were revered amonst guitarists and fans alike for their inventive styles, energetic performances and endless creativity. While each musician had their own unique voice, all three played an important role in the development of the guitar during the 20th century.
On July 22nd, 2008 the world said goodbye to famed fusion guitarist Joe Beck. Having made his name with Paul Winter’s group in 1964, Beck went on to perform and record with a veritable who’s who of the jazz world including Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Paul Desmond, Woody Herman, Stan Getz and many others. Beck was also the first guitarist to perform with trumpeter Miles Davis and can be heard on many non-jazz recordings lead by Paul Simon, Ritchie Havens and James Brown to name a few. Beck was also well known and respected within the studio recording industry as he was a first call session player for over thirty years. His ability to read and fake tunes, as well as improvise memorable solos, made Beck a truly unique voice within the guitar community. Apart from his contributions to the jazz fusion movement, Beck also designed the Alto guitar and is one of the instruments few master players. He is survived by his wife Marsi and their children.
Though many readers of this magazine will not have heard of Nelson Symonds before this article he was one of Montreal’s, and Canada’s, most legendary jazz guitarists. Having settled in Montreal in 1958, after three years on the road, Symonds immediately became known as the cities top jazz guitarist. Upon his arrival in Montreal Symonds began playing regularly at the Black Bottom and Rockhead’s Paradise jazz clubs. It was during his time at these clubs, with long time rhythm section companion’s bassist Charlie Biddle and drummer Norman Villeneuve that Symonds was able to perform with Art Farmer, Benny Golson, Jackie McLean, Jack McDuff, Jimmy Heath and Stanley Turrentine among many others.
John Coltrane was said to have heard Symonds play one night and immediately offered him a position in his band, which Symonds turned down to stay in Montreal. On another occasion guitar legend Wes Montgomery was reported to have refused to sit in with Symonds after hearing him play, saying there was no way he could keep up with Symonds’ soloing. Whether or not these, and many other, stories are fact or just part of Symonds legend is a testament to the man who inspired several generations of young Canadians to pick up the guitar to emulate his sound.
Hiram Bullock may be best known as the lead guitarist with Paul Schaffer’s Late Show with David Letterman band, having been a member of original line-up when the show began in 1982. Not only was Bullock a talented jazz guitarist, having performed with Miles Davis, David Sanborn and Bob James, Bullock can also be heard on huge selling pop albums with artists like Billy Joel, Sting and Steely Dan. Bullock passed away on July 25th, 2008 from complications of throat cancer. He is survived by his partner of 16 years Jennifer Armstrong.
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