The Heart of Music City:  The Colonial

Toronto’s top brass jazz spot

Music could be heard as soon as the Colonial Tavern opened its doors in 1947. But, despite its growing reputation for great live jazz, audiences often grumbled about the venue’s poor layout. “There were no good tables at the Colonial, only less bad tables,” journalist Robert Fulford once complained. But the high caliber of acts kept the seats full: over the years, the Colonial featured Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespie, and Sarah Vaughn.

Regulations for bars and taverns like the Colonial required that food be served alongside any alcoholic beverage. Adhering to the letter of the law, the Colonial offered three items on its menu: an open-face sandwich, a cheese plate, or a dish of celery and olives. The last was the most popular choice for jazz fans at the Colonial as it was also the cheapest, costing only $1.50.

Cy McLean and his Rhythm Rompers

In 1947, the Tavern hired Cy McLean and his band, the Rhythm Rompers, to play the latest dance floor hits. Cy McLean was one of the few Black musicians playing Yonge Street clubs and restaurants in the 1940s. Union regulations required venues to only hire musicians who were members of the Toronto Musicians’ Association. McLean became the Association’s first Black member in 1944, paving the way for other Black musicians to gain membership and work as professional musicians in the city.