On Oscar Peterson Day, JAZZ.FM91 is proud to announce a partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University in regards to the placement of the JAZZ.FM91 Canadian Jazz Time Capsule.
When this time capsule is opened 50 years from now, future music lovers will find symbolic and lasting items, including legendary musician Oscar Peterson’s last Canadian passport along with some of his vinyl recordings, his business card, and his commemorative postage stamps. Other treasures include two prints donated by Joni Mitchell, autographed drumsticks from Grammy Award-winning musician and composer Larnell Lewis, a five-hour mixtape of Canadian jazz, memorabilia from festivals, events and venues across Canada, and more.
JAZZ.FM91 and TMU share a history of broadcasting and education that dates back to 1949, when the station went by CJRT-FM. Though JAZZ.FM91 relocated to the Liberty Village area more than 22 years ago, the connection between the two institutions has remained intact.
The JAZZ.FM91 Canadian Jazz Time Capsule, which includes items suggested by our listenership, will be placed in TMU’s The Creative School in the fall of 2023.
“We are honoured to be chosen as the custodian of the JAZZ.FM91 Canadian Jazz Time Capsule,” says Charles Falzon, Dean of The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University. “We have a long-standing partnership with JAZZ.FM91 and our faculty and alumni have made significant contributions to Canadian jazz and Canadian music overall for over seven decades. Now we get to celebrate the rich history and vibrant future of jazz in Canada, preserving its legacy for generations to come.”
“These archived stories and mementos symbolically represent the artistry, cultural significance and impact that Canadian jazz has had on our community,” says Dana Wigle, General Manager of JAZZ.FM91. “Jazz is all about collaboration, and we’re grateful to The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University for partnering with us in this endeavor to preserve and share these gifts.”
The Creative School, renowned for its commitment to fostering creative talent and promoting diverse artistic practices, offers an ideal environment for the preservation and celebration of the culture of jazz. It is home to the RTA School of Media, which boasts an impressive roster of alumni who have made significant contributions to the Canadian music and jazz industry for 75 years. The faculty launched a one-of-kind Professional Music program two years ago and offers a Black Creative Practices course, exposing students to case studies of Black creatives across multiple creative genres including jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.
The capsule will be installed in The Creative School’s Allan Slaight Radio Institute at the Rogers Communications Centre in the fall. The Creative School and JAZZ.FM91 plan to organize a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate this significant milestone, bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders including students, alumni, industry professionals, and jazz enthusiasts.
Here are just a few of the items that will be included in the JAZZ.FM91 Canadian Jazz Time Capsule, with many more to be shared at a later date:
