In 1958, the Confederation Life Building became the home of the Saphire Tavern, a popular Jazz club in Downtown Toronto, first established in 1947. Of the many artists to perform at the Saphire included Jackie Shane, a prolific R&B singer and performer in the 1960s Toronto music scene. Today Jackie Shane is not only regarded as a musical pioneer, but also as a Queer icon for her outspoken pride in her identity as a black transgender woman.
Sources:
Heritage Toronto. “The Heart of Music City: Town Tavern and the Saphire.” Heritage Toronto, https://www.heritagetoronto.org/explore-learn/music-city/town-tavern-saphire/.
McIntosh, Andrew. “Jackie Shane.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, last modified November 2, 2022, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/jackie-shane.
YZO. “The Saphire Tavern.” Queerstory, https://www.queerstory.ca/project/saphire-tavern/.
This listing was created by Audrey Gray on May 24, 2023. Please confirm details at the site’s own website before planning your visit. Are you the owner/operator of this historic place? Would you like to make changes to this listing? Please contact us at historicplacesday@nationaltrustcanada.ca
