America’s loss was Peterborough’s gain, when Ohio-born Ada Lee moved to Peterborough in 1963.
Ada possesses a remarkable voice, moving with ease from Jazz to Classical to Sacred. Over the years, Ada worked in elite nightclubs around North America as well as the legendary bands of Duke Ellington and Count Basie. Since coming to Peterborough, Ada Lee, a jazz vocalist of international fame, became a tireless worker on behalf of many local causes: Cancer Society, Festival of Trees, Festival of Lights, and the Easter Seals Campaign.
Ada Lee now lives in Western Canada, but returned to Peterborough in recent years to help commemorate Black History Month.
- Photo courtesy of The Peterborough Examiner