James Nestor – Guitar Instructor

James Nestor

Although he is ever humble about it, Jim Nestor has been part of some of the most important moments in music history since the 1960s. Originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, some of Jim’s first musical experiences included setting up the stage for and meeting Jimi Hendrix at Clark University (which he snuck out of the house to do!), attending the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival, and seeing bands such as Led Zeppelin, The Grateful Dead, The Who, King Crimson, and Vanilla Fudge play in the area.

Jim hitchhiked across the United States at the tender age of 17, making his way to California. He learned to play guitar, and while living in Los Angeles, Jim experienced the centre of the golden era of recording studios, assistant engineering and sitting in on recording sessions with many legendary artists such as Janis Joplin, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Neil Young, Graham Nash, Don Everly, Randy Meisner, Leon Russell, Rita Coolidge, and Dave Mason; with some of the industry’s most famous engineers and producers, at recording studios such as Sunset Sound, Capitol Records, Ocean Way Studios, Conway Studios, and A&M Records. Along the way he met many legendary session musicians in the LA scene. He was in the audience at the concert called The Last Waltz by The Band in San Francisco, which was documented in a movie directed by Martin Scorcese.

Jim later moved to Vienna, Austria where his son Jesse was born. Jim played there with well known Austrian rock star Ulli Baer, and played many major concerts and festivals throughout the country. Jim moved to London, Ontario, Canada where Jesse’s mom, Catherine, was from, and made a name for himself in the music scene here, where he could be with his son as he grew up. The artists and bands Jim has played with in London include Tom Davis / Romeo Blanco, Fritz McIntyre (formerly of Simply Red), Big Bamboo, The McCartney Years, Soul Bender, Margaritaville, Pete Denomme, and several others. With Fritz McIntyre, Jim once played a gig at the Montreal Jazz Festival to a crowd of over one hundred thousand people, which he counts as one of the highlights of his career.

Jim is still playing and also currently producing music in partnership with his son, Jesse Hildebrand-Nestor.

His experience, understanding of the craft and dedication to playing guitar over his lifetime makes him a perfect mentor/instructor to anyone aspiring to be a better guitarist – be that beginner, intermediate or advanced player.

Contact: [email protected] Cell: 519-859-5394

Facebook Page: /b6180b57b66e083b3a34d459cd8be414/james.nestor.71

Wish You Were Here Tribute Band: http://wish-you-were-here-tribute.ca/