An Image of The Sapphire Tavern
Dublin Core
Title
An Image of The Sapphire Tavern
Subject
Historical Buildings; Toronto Historical Buildings
Description
The Sapphire Tavern was a historic venue in Toronto where Jackie Shane performed and recorded her live album “Jackie Shane Live!” in 1967, which had reached the tops of charts in Canada. 4 years after the release of this album, Jackie had disappeared from fame. The Sapphire Tavern was located along Yonge Street, where the nightlife was booming and the Toronto Sound had emerged. The Sapphire Tavern had been where Jackie Shane mostly performed, alongside her friends and band Frank Motley and His Motley Crew. For Jackie Shane to be a frequent performer here, as well as recording a live album here, is monumental as she was an openly Queer performer. Prior to the Sapphire Tavern being one of the most notable R&B bars in Toronto, it was a Jazz bar, and famous jazz musicians such as Oscar Peterson had performed there.
Creator
City of Toronto Archives
Source
“The Heart of Music City: Town Tavern and the Saphire,” Heritage Toronto, https://www.heritagetoronto.org/explore/music-city/town-tavern-saphire/
Publisher
City of Toronto Archives
Date
1972
Contributor
City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 17, Item 22
Rights
City of Toronto Archives
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Photograph
Files
Citation
City of Toronto Archives, “An Image of The Sapphire Tavern,” Black Canadian History Exhibit, accessed December 5, 2025, http://omeka.uottawa.ca/mathieu-black-canadian-history-exhibit/items/show/125.