Peterson doc paves the way for change
Barry Avrich says there’s an unsung history of Black Canadian musicians that’s ripe for documentary treatment.
The Canadian filmmaker hopes turning his lens on late Montreal jazz pianist Oscar Peterson might be a step toward
celebrating other influential Black Canadian performers.
“Oscar Peterson: Black + White” debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.
He’s only one of many Black Canadian musicians whose accomplishments Avrich says are primed for a docuseries that chronicles the history of homegrown Black music, including gospel and reggae singer Liberty Silver, late blues artist Salome Bey and Broadway actress Jackie Richardson.