Celebrated Chicago jazz and soul guitarist NICK COLIONNE died on January 1st. Few details are to hand but some sources suggest he was aged just 65.
Colionne was something of a child prodigy, learning the guitar aged just 9 and in his teens he was working with Curtis Mayfield and his circle and the Staple Singers.
He began his own recording career in the 90s and amongst his album releases were ‘Just Come In’, ‘No Limits’, ‘Influences’ and, his most recent outing, ‘Finger Painting’. Apart from the quality of his music, he was also known for his colourful and dapper stage outfits and flamboyant performance style.
Colionne was also a tireless community worker in and around Chicago. He mentored students at St. Laurence K-8 School in Elgin, Illinois and his varied community work was recognized when he won the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award in 2010.