NICK COLIONNE: MUSICIAN, MENTOR, & FRIEND; GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN!

“It’s incredibly sad that we lost Nick Colionne! We’ve all had the same experience with him: always fun and warm on and off stage!” –Michael Lington

Nick Colionne came on to the music scene in the 1990s with a debut album, It’s My Turn, and followed this with 11 more releases.  In 2022, Colionne would have been releasing his 12th album, Just Like That, on Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm Records.  Not only was Nick Colionne a popular touring musician, he also dedicated himself to being a music teacher and counselor to the youth.  In 1996, from his alma mater, he received the Malcolm X College Alumnus of the Year Award.  In 2010, he was nominated as Guitarist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year by the American Smooth Jazz Awards. 

Along with his smooth guitar chops and dynamic stage presence, Nick Colionne balanced his career with a commitment to teaching and mentoring students.  Colionne established himself as an in-demand player in the Chicago area after his debut CD, building on the styles of music icons Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Grover Washington Jr.  At the same time, he balanced his love of music with a commitment to teaching; he worked with K-8 students in Elgin, Illinois.  Over the years, he has received recognition for both endeavors, including a Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian Award in 2010, and even topped the smooth jazz charts with his Feel the Heat album the following year.

Colionne attributes his stepfather for his playing guitar at nine.  By the time he was 15, he was a professional musician.  He spent much of his youth touring with acts such as The Staple Singers, Curtis Mayfield, and The Impressions.  Even though his music was his passion, education remained a high priority.  Once he became a school teacher, he divided his time between performing and teaching.  He worked as a music teacher and a counselor for over 15 years. During the pursuit of his music career, Nick released a couple of smooth jazz and funk-influenced albums, including Arrival in 1996, The Seduction in 1999, and Just Come on In in 2003.  He signed with Narada for 2006’s Keepin’ It Cool, and in 2007, received the Wave Jazz International Instrumental Artist of the Year Award (following Chris Botti who was honored the year prior).  He then went to Koch for No Limits in 2008.  When he toured, Nick garnered a huge European following . . . that is when he wasn’t teaching or coaching.  The American Smooth Jazz Awards nominated him for Guitarist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year in 2010; and he was awarded for his ongoing efforts mentoring youth.  

His single, “Got to Keep Moving,” topped the charts and was popular in dance clubs.  On The JT Project, he had several guest performers, including Maysa and James Lloyd.  The Journey was his third album for Trippin ‘N’ Rhythm, and was released in April 2016.  Next  was the popular Just Being Me in 2018.  With an inspiring wealth of music and countless outstanding achievements, Nick Colionne left his mark on this world.  At the age of 55, he passed away at home on New Year’s 2022.  

But who was Nick Colionne really?  Anybody can scratch the surface of a person by going to a website bio or reading an obituary, but Schmooze Jazz magazine wanted, no, needed to do more for the man who left behind so many broken-hearted fans, friends, and family.  Even music critics had only great things to say about this talented artist.  In a mad search for hidden information on Nick Colionne, I discovered an  interview from 2016, where Nick talks about his love for music and  how he got started playing guitar at such a very young age.

(To read more, purchase Schmooze Jazz magazine’s Inaugural print Issue, featuring Nick Colionne with a detailed review his releases, his many accomplishments, and so much  more).  Visit: https://www.amazon.com/Schmooze-Jazz-Issue-1-Magazine/dp/B09XSRYVB3 

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