Jack Nissenson

Jack Nissenson (1933-June 24, 2015 in Montreal)[1] was a member of the Mountain City Four, a Canadian folk music group, based in Montreal and active in the 1960s. In addition to Nissenson, the group consisted of Peter Weldon, Kate McGarrigle and Anna McGarrigle.[2]

Before the Mountain City Four, Peter Weldon and Jack Nissenson were members of a traditional folk band called Pharisees. When Weldon and Nissenson met the McGarrigle sisters, they formed the Mountain City Four.[3]

Nissenson recorded an early concert performed by Bob Dylan at the Finjan Club on Victoria Street in Montreal in July 1962.[4] He made the recording with an old British-made reel-to-reel tape recorder, so the quality of the recording is exceptional. This recording remains as one of the most sought-after early recordings of Bob Dylan with collectors and fans.[5]

Nissenson moved to Toronto in 1975.[1] During the late 1970s and 1980s Jack sang and played guitar with a political folk group in Toronto called Bread and Roses.

Upon returning to Montreal, Jack continued to play folk music for many years as a solo singer and with a group named "The What Four" (with Peter Weldon, Marvin Segal, John Knowles and often Jane McGarrigle).[6][7] He was also an accomplished storyteller and belonged to a group called Word of Mouth Productions with storytellers Dylan Spevack-Willcock, Sarah Comrie, and John David Hickey.[8]

Jack died at St. Mary's Hospital, Montreal, on June 24, 2015, surrounded by friends and family. He is survived by his brother Harvey Nissenson.

References
  1. "Jack Nissenson". Québec's Intercultural Storytelling Festival. 2005. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  2. "McGarrigle, Kate and Anna". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on February 2, 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  3. "Kate McGarrigle". The Scotsman. 23 January 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  4. Heylin, Clinton (1996). Bob Dylan: a life in stolen moments: day by day, 1941-1995. New York: Schirmer Books. p. 23. ISBN 0-02-864676-2.
  5. Pinkerton, CD. "Finjan Club - Bootleg CDs". www.bobsboots.com. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
  6. "The What Four play in memory of Kate McGarrigle" (PDF). Westmount Independent. April 6–7, 2010. p. 10,12. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  7. "Westmounters revive McGarrigle era scene" (PDF). Westmount Independent. March 16–17, 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  8. Stephanie O'Hanley (October 28, 2004). "Spooken word". Ottawa XPress. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  • "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" Folk & Blues: An Encyclopedia, St. Martin's Press, 2001


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