Norman Alec Symonds (23 December 1920[1] – 21 August 1998) was a Canadian composer, clarinetist, and saxophonist who lived and worked in Toronto, Ontario.
[2] A leading figure in the third-stream movement in Canada, he composed several jazz works which employed classical forms.
From 1949 to 1966, Symonds worked actively as a clarinetist, alto and baritone saxophonist and arranger with several dance bands in Toronto, including those led by Leo Romanelli, Bobby Gimby, and Benny Louis.
From 1953 to 1957 he played with and directed his own jazz octet whose members also included Ed Bickert, Ron Collier, Ross Culley, Bernie Piltch, Jack Richardson, and Jerry Toth.
[10] In 1987 his work was included on the National Arts Centre Orchestra recording Canadian Classics Vol.