Performers
The first band to open the Colonial Tavern was a band led by Cy McLean, who led the first full-scale black dance band in Canada. Artists who performed at the Colonial Tavern included major jazz artists from around the world. Musicians often stayed in very limited accommodation at the back. A brass plate memorial in the park which now remembers this historic building records the names of over 150 jazz musicians that performed at the tavern. Amongst notable performers were:
- Dizzy Gillespie
- Art Blakey
- Roland Kirk
- Bill Chase
- Carmen McRae
- Shorty Rogers
- Gene Krupa
- George Shearing
- Oscar Peterson
- Earl Hines
- Jeff Healey
- Bill Evans
- Muddy Waters
- Peter Allen
- Cy McLean
- Charles Mingus
- Tal Farlow
- Red Norvo
- Benny Goodman
- Chuck Mangione
- Big Mama Thornton
- Willie Dixon
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Famous quotes containing the word performers:
“The reason I’m in this business, I assume all performers are—it’s “Look at me, Ma!” It’s acceptance, you know—”Look at me, Ma, look at me, Ma, look at me, Ma.” And if your mother watches, you’ll show off till you’re exhausted; but if your mother goes, Ptshew!”
—Lenny Bruce (1925–1966)
“... we performers are monsters. We are a totally different, far-out race of people. I totally and completely admit, with no qualms at all, my egomania, my selfishness, coupled with a really magnificent voice.”
—Leontyne Price (b. 1927)