A couple of weeks ago I asked my dad if he'd like to go to a concert with me on his birthday. He said yes. The event, Syncopation: Black Roots featured a number of top-notch ensembles showcasing the Toronto Black music scene from the '50s, '60s and '70s.
The man behind the show was Archie Alleyne. A preeminent jazz drummer, bandleader and dedicated activist, his presence is charming and welcoming. Alleyne's career has spanned six decades. Since 2003 he has been awarding scholarships to young musicians to help them pursue advanced music training. In the program Alleyne keenly says, “When I started playing professionally, men and women were still required to use separate entrances at some entertainment establishments, while others barred Blacks from entering outright. Thankfully, the times were changing.”
I was surprised to find my dad knew of Alleyne from performances in the '50s. At that time my dad was a commercial artist and aspiring actor. Not a jazz aficionado per se, he was always on the lookout for new and exciting experiences. Departures from his conservative upbringing. In the '50s Alleyne was quickly establishing himself as a distinguished jazz player.
The Syncopation MC invited audience members to share their memories of groundbreaking musicians and venues of Toronto past. The room seemed shy at first, however, Archie joked that they should speak up before they got “volun-told”. My dad remembered seeing Alleyne at the First Floor Club, near bohemian Yorkville, and enjoying every minute of it.
A high point of the afternoon for me was Jay Douglas' set. Not only was his singing bold and soulful but his dancing was riveting. While Douglas is a senior he could hold his own with anyone in terms of raw energy. He had expert moves, fancy footwork and a mischievous expression. He made use of the entire stage.
The show was a fantastic view into the history of musical entertainment in Toronto. It was lovely to unexpectedly discover a bit of family history as well.
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