Daisy Peterson and brother Oscar (194?)
At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) several Canadian film figures were asked who might be honoured with a Heritage Minute, a national institution.
One of them suggested Daisy Peterson, sister of jazz icon Oscar Peterson. Daisy taught Oscar to play the piano. along with hundreds of others through a lengthy music career that unfolded alongside raising nine children and working at a variety of jobs. She also taught other jazz giants including Joe Sealy and Oliver Jones who died in July of this year.
Daisy, Oscar, and Oliver were involved in choirs and churches in Montreal when segregation was still prevalent and congregations were safe havens for faith and musical creativity. According to one biographical source Daisy was...
An accomplished organist as well, she played the organ for services at St. Jude’s Anglican Church, the Union United Church https://www.unionunitedchurchmtl.ca/ and at the Robert Campbell Presbyterian Church. It was at the Union United Church where she started a choir which she later turned over to Trevor Payne. The Black Community Youth Choir (1974–81) later became the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir in 1982.
Daisy Peterson Sweeney received accolades and honours through the years but I think adding a Heritage Minute is a brilliant idea. Thank God for Daisy!
Daisy Peterson Sweeney Mural, 1791 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC.
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