Oliver Jones named Montreal 'honorary citizen'

The internationally renowned musician Oliver Jones will soon receive the title of honorary citizen from the City of Montreal.

Mayor Denis Coderre will officially make the announcement on May 20.

"I'm still in shock. To be honoured by the city of Montreal, it's something special. Thank you, thank you very much, saidJones.

The 79-year-old pianist grew up in Montreals Little Burgundy, where he became an icon in the citys jazz scene.

"I feel good everywhere I go inMontreal. It's just not the same in the rest of Canada, saidJones.

A child prodigy, Oliver Jones gave his first concert at the age offive.

Today, he has become a source of inspiration for another young Montreal musician, Daniel Clarke Bouchard.

"It was really exceptional for him to give me the chance to play on stage and become better," saidthe 14-year-old pianist.

In 1986, Jones won a Juno Award for his albumLights of Burgundy and in 1989 he won the Flix Award for his Just Friends album.

His tour of Nigeria was also the subject of a 1990 National Film Board of Canada documentary, Oliver Jones in Africa.

For some jazz lovers, thistribute to Jones from the City of Montreal was a long time coming.

"The first question I ask is: why did it take so long? says Radio-Canada music journalist Stanley Pan.

He has been a part of our cultural landscape and a pride of Montreal for a very long time.

Only ten other people have received the title of citizen of honour by the City of Montreal: singer Charles Aznavour, the head of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Kent Nagano, and writer Dany Laferrire.

The Oliver Jones 80th Birthday Celebration concert will be held on July 5, as part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.