Historica Canada released a new Heritage Minute honoring legendary soul singer Jackie Shane. She’s a pioneering transgender musician and a significant presence in Toronto’s R&B scene. This is part of the celebration of Transgender Awareness Week and the Trans Day of Remembrance.
Jackie Shane was born in 1940 and spent her formative years in Nashville, Tennessee. As a child, she sang in gospel choruses and groups. Although she was portrayed as a gay man in public throughout her career, Jackie was transgender. She first revealed it to her mom at age 13.
Before settling into Toronto’s developing R&B scene around 1959, Shane performed with Frank Motley and the crew in Montreal and Boston. In Toronto, Shane performed at completely packed nightclubs, including her usual spot at the Saphire Tavern.
In 1971, Shane abruptly ended her career as a musician. She later relocated to Nashville, where she lived until she died in 2019. Any Other Way, an anthology album by Shane released in 2017, received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Historical Album.
This music genius contributed to developing the distinctive R&B style known as the “Toronto Sound,” which the city is known for.
According to Anthony Wilson-Smith, Historica Canada’s President and CEO, Jackie encountered hurdles in almost every facet of her existence as a Black transgender artist. The Heritage Minute honors her honesty by emphasizing how Jackie felt free to share her authentic self whenever she was onstage.
Produced by Harlow Creative and Historica Canada, with executive producers Vanessa Magic and Caitlin Brown, this Heritage Minute was finished in May 2022. Pat Mills directed it and was co-directed by upcoming filmmaker Ayo Tsalithaba. It was written by JP Larocque.
R&B artist Anastasia Dextrene narrates the end of the French version, while vocalist Beverly Glenn-Copeland narrates the end of the English version. The Minute begins with original music by Canadian composer Murray Lightburn and includes two of Jackie Shane’s songs, New Way of Lovin’ and Any Other Way. African Mohawk two-spirit trans activist and storyteller Ravyn Wngz plays Jackie Shane in the movie.
