B'Lack Then: Muted Melodies

The Canada Black Music Archives (CBMA) proudly presents B’Lack Then: Muted Melodies, now open to the public!

This immersive exhibition explores the lives of 23 influential artists across 10 music genres through a powerful collection of photographs, albums, singles, newspaper clippings, film screenings, discussions, and more.

🎼 What You’ll See

Spread across eight glass vitrines, the exhibition invites you to explore:

Albums, singles, and compilations by: Portia White, Salome Bey, Jackie Shane, Jackie Mittoo, Leroy Sibbles, Nana McLean, Adrian Miller, Motion, Rochester aka Juice, and Gene King

Rare sheet music by: The Ball Family, Shelton Brooks, and Nathaniel Dett

Original performance costumes worn by: King Cosmos, Claudja Barry, and Rochester aka Juice

Intimate photographs of:The Assoon Brothers, Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison, and Archie Alleyne

Treasured musical instruments including: Kobèna Aquaa-Harrison’s handcrafted, Bo Diddley–signed guitar and Pan Man Pat’s steel pan, played at the first Caribana in 1967

🎥 Special Feature

A short, silent film reel captures the vibrant scenes of Caribana (now Toronto Caribbean Carnival) from the 1970s–1980s. Behind the screen, a photo-covered pillar brings this cultural legacy to life through powerful archival visuals.

📅 Dates: Thursday, May 22, 2025 – Friday, February 27, 2026

🕓 Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM, Daily

📍 Location: Archives of Ontario: 134 Ian Macdonald Boulevard, Toronto, ON M7A 2C5

🎟️ Admission: FREE!