1916–1986
York Cemetery
Section C Lot 1276
Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Cyril “Cy” McLean overcame racial prejudice and physical disability to become a trailblazer in Canadian music. A gifted pianist, McLean studied at Toronto’s Hambourg Conservatory while playing gigs to support himself. In 1937, at just 20 years old, he became leader of Roy Worell’s band and soon formed Ontario’s first all-Black jazz orchestra, inspired by the swinging style of Count Basie.
McLean fought for months before the local musicians’ union admitted his band – a milestone for Black musicians in Canada. During World War II, his group toured southern Ontario promoting the brand Lifebuoy soap, often facing discrimination in towns where Black people had never been seen. Despite these challenges, McLean’s band opened Toronto’s famed Colonial Tavern in 1947, breaking barriers on Yonge Street’s music scene. He later headlined at prominent Toronto venues the Corsair, El Mocambo and Warwick Hotel, training generations of Canadian jazz talent.
McLean’s popularity waned with the death of dance bands, and he died in relative obscurity on October 29, 1986 at the age of 70.
Sources:
• Durham Region – Andy Merey Column
• Mount Pleasant Group – Cy McLean
• Wikipedia – Cy McLean
• Canadian Black Music Archives – Artist Entry
Photo: Unknown Photographer
