Daisy Sweeney

Daisy Sweeney, born Daisy Peterson in Montreal on May seventh, nineteen twenty, was a remarkable figure in the Canadian music scene. As a dedicated music educator and pianist, she played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of many notable Canadian jazz musicians, including her own brother, Oscar Peterson, as well as Oliver Jones, Ken Skinner, Joe Sealy, and Reg Wilson. Sweeney was known for her commitment to her students, often taking them to McGill University for preparatory exams and performances.

In addition to her teaching, Sweeney co-founded the Montreal Black Community Youth Choir in nineteen seventy-four, which has since been renamed the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. This initiative showcased her passion for music and her dedication to the community, providing a platform for young talent to flourish.

Beyond her contributions to music education, Sweeney was also the proud mother of Sylvia Sweeney, a Canadian Olympic athlete and television journalist. Her influence extended beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting legacy in both the arts and her family.

In recognition of her contributions, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre announced plans in August twenty seventeen to name a street after her. Furthermore, in two thousand eighteen, a community mural honoring Sweeney was unveiled in Montreal's Little Burgundy neighborhood, created by artist Kevin Ledo, who is also known for his mural of Leonard Cohen in the Plateau neighborhood.