Mary Jane and Winston Young were a Toronto-based folk music singing duo. They were active as early as 1960 in the early days of the North American urban Folk Revival."Founding Folkies" A History of Folk Music in English Canada, chapter 19 by Gary Cristall"Folk Music Revival" Canadian Encyclopedia They were part of the movement that tied folk music to a socially progressive view of the world.
The Youngs performed various kinds of folk based music, including Irish tunes and political tunes and American tunes and songs from Ewen McColl.
History In November 1960 the Youngs' music was featured on the BBC program Roundabout."ROUNDABOUT Light Programme, 3 November 1960". Genome
The pair were regular performers at Toronto's folk club and cultural centre, the Bohemian Embassy Coffee House"A selective guide to Toronto night life by David Secter". The Varsity, September 28, 1963 - Mar 20, 1964 which was run by actor/cultural animator Don Cullen."Bohemian Embassy Night". Artword Theatre Bulletin, April–May, 2001]"Bohemian". Toronto Star, 2007/01/21 The Youngs didn't record anything but a few live recordings. They appeared alongside many Canadian acts, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian and Sylvia, Joni Mitchell and Stan Rogers. They were to a significant part of the Toronto folk scene in the late fifties and early sixties.
The Youngs performed at the first Mariposa Folk Festival. In 2001 they performed as part of a Bohemian Embassy reunion night fundraiser for the Humanist Association of Toronto."Bohemian Embassy Night Was a Sell-Out Success!". Humanist newsletter May/June, 2001 Number 46
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