As a pioneering trans soul singer in the 1960s, Jackie Shane’s unapologetic and authentic presence in Toronto contributed to the local R&B music scene and made her an enduring queer icon in Canada.
This Heritage Minute celebrates the iconic soul singer Jackie Shane. Jackie Shane was a Toronto-based soul-singer from Nashville performing on the Yonge Street strip in the 1960s. She left her mark with her hit “Any Other Way” as a local favourite throughout the decade and as an originator of the R&B music scene known as the Toronto Sound.
As a Black transgender performer, she faced many adversities but found her calling on stage where she felt more free to share her true self. Her unapologetic and authentic presence made her an enduring queer icon in Toronto and beyond.
