Musicians from across the city are gathering at the end of the month to honour one of their own.
John Tonin taught guitar for decades in Guelph, while also performing around the city and beyond. He died last year at the age of 68, after a long battle with dementia.
But the people he inspired along the way, including Tonin's own son, is holding a tribute concert at Royal City Studios Saturday, Sept. 30.
"We're playing some of his original music, we're playing some classic music that he loved to play, and just kind of honouring him," said Jason Da Maren, a local musician and longtime pupil and friend of Tonin's.
"(We're) looking to have a space where people can come and either tell stories about him or talk about him, listen to us play and have an evening dedicated to John."
For those who didn't know him, Da Maren described Tonin as very peace-minded, enthusiastic, open minded and inspired.
"He was a really interesting guy," he said. "He was an incredible musician, he had an incredible facility on the guitar."
So much so, Tonin represented Ontario in what was the first-ever Fender Guitar Warz in 1989.
The national competition aired on Much Music. Tonin would finish as the Canadian runner up.
But it was his connection to his hometown that endeared him to his peers.
Tonin played the electric guitar, later moved on to the flamenco, and put out CDs with surf-style music, along with "a mix of Indian chants with Latin music."
"He was consistently described as someone who was a fearless performer," Da Maren said.
"He could go on stage, and you could see he was in the moment of going for it."
But it will be up to his colleagues to keep the music going. Tonin's son Jake will lead the night off. The John Tonin Tribute Band, featuring Da Maren, and other local musicians like Tom McLelland, Domenic DiNino, Kevin Hogg and John Zadro, will also be performing.
The event is free to attend. Doors are expected to open at 6 p.m.
