There’s a lot to celebrate this month as the City of Toronto officially proclaimed June as Black Music Month, celebrating Black music in all its shapes and forms.
“Black music is a rich artform that has evolved over hundreds of years,” says Mayor Olivia Chow in the proclamation. “From folk to religious spirituals and gospel, to blues, jazz, soul, Afro-Caribbean music, reggae, R&B and hip-hop, each have their own unique history…we acknowledge the vital role that Black communities have played in shaping and promoting Toronto’s musical identity.”
Black Music Month began as African American Music Appreciation Month in the United States back in 1979 in a proclamation by then-president Jimmy Carter. In Canada, it was first proclaimed in Toronto by former mayor John Tory in 2019 after a request from Music Managers Forum which later continued by the Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA).
“In the proclamation made by the Mayor’s Office, the city acknowledges not only the artistic but social impact the artform has for these communities,” said CBMA in their official statement.
For hundreds of years, Black Canadian artists have contributed to the musical and cultural landscape of this country. In the world of jazz, we are grateful for the artistry of musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Oliver Jones, Eleanor Collins, Jay Douglas, Salome Bey, Ada Lee, Joe Sealy, Archie Alleyne and countless others.
In addition, this year’s edition of the Toronto Jazz Festival features a special curated show honouring Black Canadian contributions to Toronto’s music scene with On Their Shoulders on June 21, produced by Shakura S’Aida. S’Aida alongside Jackie Richardson joined Raina Hersh last month on The Interval to talk about the show and the legacy of African Canadian performers.
Watch the full interview below. On Their Shoulders takes place on Saturday, June 21 at Koerner Hall starting at 8PM EST. Tickets are on sale now via torontojazzfest.com.