I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Canadian Black Music Archives launch event last Thursday for their B’Lack Then exhibition of memorabilia, instruments and costumes from Canadian music icons and pioneers. The show runs until February 2026 in the Archives of Ontario housed in York University in Toronto (details at end of story).
I was thrilled when I was contacted a few months ago by curator, Shadio Hussein, to secure items from Claudja Barry who continues to enjoy a successful career first in disco music, then on to R&B as well as appearing in films, world tours and making her own documentaries. Claudja submitted a gorgeous beaded gown worn on stage and in videos, her “boogie woogie dancin’ shoes”, several magazines from the 70s and 80s with multi-page photo spreads and interviews, press clippings and all manner of mementoes from her exciting career. (pictured below – Shadio poses with Claudja’s beaded gown and some of Claudja’s photos and magazine articles)
Spread across eight glass showcases, the exhibit illuminates the lives of 23 artists across 10 music genres through photographs, albums, newspaper clippings, film screenings, discussions and more. Visitors are invited to explore significant albums, singles and compilations by artists such as Portia White, Salome Bey, Jackie Shane, Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, Nana McLean, Adrian Miller, Motion, Rochester aka Juice and Gene King. Rare sheet music by the Ball Family, Shelton Brooks and Nathaniel Dett is also featured, along with original performance costumes worn by King Cosmos, Claudja Barry and Rochester aka Juice.
King Cosmos poses with his own costume & Claudja’s gown
The celebratory evening presented a number of performances by artists featured in the exhibition or their descendants (Tuku, daughter of Salome Bey / Robert Ball, a descendant of the Ball Family Jubilee Singers / Brooke Blackburn of the Blackburn Brothers & son of Bobby Dean Blackburn), speeches from VIPs and congratulations – bravo to Executive Director Phil Vassell (pictured below) and Managing Director Donna McCurvin and to the archivists and curators who worked so hard to amass a collection of artists from so many different genres. Ontario head archivist Jacqueline Spencer (pictured below Phil) spoke eloquently of her colleagues who dug deep to learn about and locate so many of the musical legends.
The exhibition will run through February 2026 to coincide with Canada’s Black History Month.
Located at 134 Ian Macdonald Blvd at York University (opposite the York U subway entrance).
Details: https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/events/Canada_Black_Music_Archives.aspx
Open Mon-Fri 8:30am to 5pm FREE ADMISSION!
Follow @the.cbma on IG for up-to-date news.
