The CBMA celebrated a night of music, history, and culture with their Black History Month Event on Friday, February 23rd. Their sophomore event, succeeded by their hit pop-up launch in November, was hosted once more at the City of Toronto Archives. The evening followed a presentation for the Black Network Society and performance by Jay Douglas, held earlier that morning.

Phil Vassell set the stage with opening remarks on the importance of the CBMA and highlighted the significant contributions of Black Canadians to the country’s rich history. Rosemary Sadlier, author and former President of the Ontario Black History Society, followed with a heartfelt speech. As an instrumental figure in establishing Black History Month in Canada, Sadlier set the tone for an educational and entertaining evening. The mother, author and lecturer spoke on navigating and building her career as a Black woman and the importance of amplifying Black Canadian accomplishments.

No stranger to the mic, former MuchMusic VJ, Michael Williams, took over as host for the night’s festivities. Accompanied by the melodic mixes of DJ Carl Allen, the evening ushered in a large crowd of spectators.

Prior to the performances, visitors could listen to Allen while exploring the Eric Mercury display, courtesy of his family and Dean Bernard. Eric Mercury was a funk/rock pioneer who released one of the most highly sought after albums of the genre, The Electric Black Man. Bernard is a producer and director currently working on a documentary of Mercury’s life.

The display featured intimate photographs of Mercury and his family, album covers, a stage bill, music compositions, video clips, and more. Once closer to the stage, visitors could enjoy an exhibition showing instruments of founding Sattalites member, Jojo Bennet, and trombonist, Norris Ridguard.

Musician and engineer, Kobena Aquaa-Harrison, opened the performance portion of the evening using his self-built instruments and accompanied by the talented Deanna Jade. Their soul-stirring African hymns and instrumentals left a buzz in the air and set the bar high for the evening.

Canadian legends, Jackie Richardson and Joe Sealy were on next. Both pioneers in the music industry, the Queen of Jazz herself shook the audience with her vibrato while Sealy masterfully played his keyboard beside her. The two danced through song, adding tales of their life in between each set. Sealy notably discussed the pain his family felt after leaving Nova Scotia’s Africville, and the impact that had on his music. The emotional performance by the duo was certainly a highlight of the evening.

If there was any pause, Jay Douglas assuredly brought the energy to the max. His intricate footwork and smooth melodies had the audience dancing, laughing, and singing along to Bob Marley covers. Lorraine Scott, who was in attendance, was brought on stage by Douglas for a duet. The man with a thousand stories filled the room and kept everyone on their toes.

As the night neared its close, up-and-coming jazz singer Joanna Majoko took the stage. Dressed in a vibrant green, she immersed the audience in her rich and velvety notes. Her Zimbabwean roots could be felt in the performance and her stylings were a welcome addition to the evening.

The final act was none other than hip-hop legend, Michie Mee. Already an evening filled with music royalty, The Queen of Hip-Hop made her entrance running down the stairs adorned in both the Jamaican and Canadian flag. Her electric performance brought everyone once more to their feet, culminating with the audience singing her Happy Birthday, as she was celebrating it that evening.

Between each set, Michael Williams interviewed the artists, giving viewers insight into who they are, and why they believe the CBMA is important.

The CBMA is an educational tool and historical record of the many contributions of Black Canadian musicians. A momentous success, their sophomore event acted as an open letter to the public, highlighting varying historical pieces and performances. Each performer brought a new genre and perspective to the table, allowing visitors to experience a range of what Black Canadians bring to the music industry. Afterall, Black music is Black history