Photo Credit: Colin Power

November marks the one year anniversary since the official launch of the Canada Black Music Archives. With nearly 300 musicians documented ranging from the late 1800’s to now, the CBMA strives to cover the dynamic talents of Black Canadian musicians across Canada. Originally founded by business and life partners Phil Vassell and Donna McCurvin, the CBMA has since created a solid foundation for digitally archiving the many contributions of these artists. The barrier breaking duo have a long standing history in the Canadian music world and were responsible for Black culture magazine, WORD, which they published for twenty years. They also helmed the Irie Music Festival, the Toronto Urban Music Festival, and won the Harry Jerome Award for Business in 2000. After closing the chapter on publishing and festival organizing, they decided to take their wealth of Canadian music knowledge and make it accessible to the public. With Covid-19 shortly following the inception of the non-profit, making this information available digitally became an integral part of their goal. With an extensive collection of music, photographs, interviews, and other documents, the CBMA began its mission to raise awareness of the voices and experiences of Black Canadian musicians.

Here’s a look back at the Canada Black Music Archives first official year…

LAUNCH PARTY

Photo credit: Colin Power

On November 23rd of last year at the City of Toronto Archives the CBMA hosted a memorable evening of music and celebration to commemorate the non-profit’s founding. The night included performances from some of Canada’s legendary musicians including Liberty Silver, Eddie Bullen, DJ Carl Allen, and Jay Douglas.

Read more about the launch at https://thecbma.com/news/launch-of-the-canada-black-music-archives/.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Photo Credit: Howard Prendergast

The Canada Black Music Archives hosted their Black History Month Celebration event at the City of Toronto Archives on February 23rd. The evening welcomed special guests like Rosemary Sadlier, and former MuchMusic VJ, Michael Williams, with featured performances by DJ Carl Allen, Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, Deanna Jade, Jackie Richardson, Joe Sealy, Jay Douglas, Joanna Majoko, and Michie Mee.

Also on display was a special exhibition exploring the life and music of funk/rock pioneer Eric Mercury. Read more about this night of celebration at https://thecbma.com/bhm-event/.

BLACK MUSIC MONTH SHOWCASE

Photo Credit: Stephen Williams

June 21st was an exciting night with the CBMA, marking the proclamation of June as Toronto’s Black Music Month. The CBMA held a showcase which featured performances from Canada’s Queen of Reggae Nana McLean with Eddie Bullen, Maurice Gordon, King Cosmos, and DJ Carl Allen. On display for visitors in between acts was a special collection of photographs, album covers, and more from Toronto’s Little Jamaica community.

Learn more about this event at https://thecbma.com/black-music-month-showcase/.

THE LITTLE JAMAICA MUSIC HISTORY WALKING TOUR

Photo Credit: Stephen Williams

The Canada Black Music Archives launched the Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tour this past summer. The unique guide to Toronto’s Eglinton West community provided a behind-the-scenes look at the neighbourhood that once supplied some of reggae’s top hits, and the musicians behind them. The tour ran from June until September, taking participants to stops like Jimmy Wisdom Way, Studio M, Sunshine Sounds, Monica’s, Rap’s Restaurant, Treasure Isle, the Sattalites Music School, Reggae Lane, and more. While the 2024 season focused on music landmarks on Eglinton from Marlee Avenue to Dufferin St., the 2025 summer tours will explore former stops as well as expanding further down Eglinton.

Learn more about the tour and sign-up for future dates at https://thecbma.com/little-jamaica-music-history-tour/.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Following a successful freshman year, the Canada Black Music Archives is gearing up for an event filled 2025. Along with continuing the Little Jamaica Music History Walking Tours, the CBMA has several showcase events and exhibitions on the way that will highlight the many Black Canadian musicians who continue to make our music scene unique and diverse. With Black History Month fast approaching, keep your calendar open and stay tuned for our next event!

Growing the archive and preserving the various contributions of Black Canadian artists is the CBMA’s top priority. With your support, the CBMA can become the main repository for this information and give these musicians the recognition they deserve. If you would like to donate, volunteer, add a submission, or provide materials to the archive visit us at https://thecbma.com/.

The Canada Black Music Archives would like to thank its sponsors, interns, and volunteers for making this past year possible. Without your continued efforts and support the CBMA would not be where it is today. Thank you!