Paul Simons, a pianist originally from Montreal, has been performing, arranging and teaching in Nova Scotia for over 30 years. Paul has played with many visiting and local artists like the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, Symphony Nova Scotia, The Rankin Sisters, Moe Koffman, Red Buttons, The Shirelles, Skip Beckwith, Don Palmer and Shirley Eikhard.
Paul is also the founder and musical director of the vocal group The Novelty Salesmen and has acted as arranger / pianist on their last 3 CD recordings, numerous shows with band and horns, as well as arranger for their Symphonic Concert. Other recording projects include CD’s with The Blue Engine String Quartet, Toni Pigot, and Charlie A’Court. Paul and was also arranger / pianist for Rejean Cournoyer’s debut CD, and was music composer for the new musical “Ruby” (The Ruby Keeler story).
Paul has been long-time musical partner with saxophonist Don Palmer and has been featured in many Atlantic Jazz Festivals over the years – as well as an accompanist for other featured acts, and the presenter / pianist for his own – popular series of concerts entitled “The Living Room Series”. Paul has also played over 30 theatrical shows in Nova Scotia, including “The Satchmo Suite”, “Pelegie”, “Cats”, “Three Penny Opera” and “West Side Story” - just to name a few.
Paul also teaches Jazz and improvised piano privately and at the Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts and has most recently performed as a solo pianist at The Atlantic Jazz Festival, The Markland Music Centre in Nova Scotia, and Toronto’s Distillery Jazz Festival.