Item - 2021.CA21.4

During the review of the Order Paper on July 14, 2021, City Council adopted a procedural motion to remove this Item from the Civic Appointments Committee and bring it forward to City Council for consideration.

Appointees' biographies:

Umair Jaffar

Umair is the Executive Director of Small World Music, the leading presenter of culturally diverse music in Toronto. Prior to this role he has worked at major cultural institutions in Toronto including the Aga Khan Museum and Harbourfront Centre. Recognizing his contributions to Toronto's arts sector, he received the 2017 Leaders Lab fellowship from the Toronto Arts Council and Banff Centre. He has an MBA from University of Adelaide and a MSc in Cultural Anthropology from University of Oxford.

Julian Taylor

Persistence and a never-give-up, hard-working ethic are two traits at the core of Toronto native Julian Taylor's success. Taylor is a Canadian, award-winning, singer-songwriter who began his career as a teenager; playing at local, open stages around the city. Equal parts troubadour and soul singer, Taylor emits a raw, emotive and distinct delivery. A true music fan and gifted performer, Taylor’s sound is a culmination of every musical genre that has touched him throughout his life.

The Civic Appointments Committee recommends that:  

1. City Council appoint the following individuals to the Toronto Music Advisory Committee, at pleasure of Council, for a term of office ending on November 14, 2022:

Umair Jaffar

Julian Taylor

2.  City Council direct that the balance of Confidential Attachment 1 to the report (June 28, 2021) from the Interim General Manager, Economic Development and Culture remain confidential as it relates to personal matters about identifiable individuals being considered for appointment to the Toronto Music Advisory Committee.

Candidates' biographies:

Umair Jaffar

Umair is the Executive Director of Small World Music, the leading presenter of culturally diverse music in Toronto. Prior to this role he has worked at major cultural institutions in Toronto including the Aga Khan Museum and Harbourfront Centre. Recognizing his contributions to Toronto’s arts sector, he received the 2017 Leaders Lab fellowship from the Toronto Arts Council and Banff Centre. He has an MBA from University of Adelaide and a MSc in Cultural Anthropology from University of Oxford.

Julian Taylor

Persistence and a never-give-up, hard-working ethic are two traits at the core of Toronto native Julian Taylor’s success. Taylor is a Canadian, award-winning, singer-songwriter who began his career as a teenager; playing at local, open stages around the city. Equal parts troubadour and soul singer, Taylor emits a raw, emotive and distinct delivery. A true music fan and gifted performer, Taylor’s sound is a culmination of every musical genre that has touched him throughout his life.

The purpose of this report is to have City Council appoint two members of the public to the Toronto Music Advisory Committee to fill current vacancies due to recent resignations.