Little Italy in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Composer John Weinzweig

— Toronto Legacy Project —

Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

1. The Composer John Weinzweig Marker

Inscription. (1913-2006) lived here, above his father's fur store, from 1927 to 1941.

Erected by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1927.

Location. 43° 39.305′ N, 79° 24.84′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Little Italy. It is at the intersection of College Street and Clinton Street, on the right when traveling east on College Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 599 College St, Toronto ON M6G 1B4, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

of this marker: Johnny Lombardi (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Introduction of Multilingual Multicultural Radio Stations in Canada (about 120 meters away); Grace Bagnato (about 210 meters away); Monsignor (Père) Athol Murray (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Healey Willan (1880-1968) (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Healey Willan (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Croft Street (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Crawford Street Bridge (approx. 0.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . John Weinzweig (the Canadian Encyclopedia).

The eldest child of Polish-Jewish immigrants, Joseph and Rose (Burstyn) Weinzweig, John Weinzweig first studied music at 14, taking group lessons in mandolin at the Workman's Circle Peretz School in Toronto. That same year, with his brother Morris (1915-74), who later was a saxophonist in Toronto studio orchestras, he began piano lessons with Gertrude Anderson. While attending Harbord Collegiate he played under Brian McCool in one of the few established school orchestras in Canada at that time. At first Weinzweig played violin parts on the
Photographed by Tim Boyd, November 2, 2026

2. The Composer John Weinzweig Marker
Centre of photo
mandolin, but later he took up tuba, tenor saxophone, and bass. He also played in the orchestra of the Central High School of Commerce and later studied piano with George E. Boyce. Less formally, he and his brother earned pocket money performing at various events from school dances to political rallies. As he stated, reminiscing in 1986 ('John Weinzweig,' Canadian Music of the 1930s and 1940s), 'I played the Pirates of Penzance. I played "Santa Lucia," "Poet and Peasant," "The Blue Danube," "St Louis Blues," Hungarian Rhapsodies of Liszt, Chopin Waltzes, and "Tiger Rag."... At age 19 I got serious and decided to become a composer.'

(Submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

John Weinzweig in 1945 image. Click for full size.

3. John Weinzweig in 1945

Source: Wikipedia via the Ontario Jewish Archives (used under license

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.