Jackie is an award-winning singer and actor whose career spans more than five decades. She has been called Canada’s reigning queen of jazz, blues and gospel, and has received a Maple Blues Award for lifetime achievement. She is also a Gemini Award and Dora Award-winning actor who has appeared in numerous musical theater productions, films and television series. In 2014, the Toronto Star named Richardson one of 180 people who have helped shape the city since it was founded. She was made an Honorary Member of the Order of Canada in 2021. 

Richardson made her professional singing debut at age 16 when she joined the Toronto-based R&B group The Tiaras alongside her sister Betty. Richardson joined the group as a choreographer until her voice was strong enough to sing with the band. She went on to perform with an African group at Expo 67 in Montreal. She then briefly toured with a lineup of the American doo-wop group The Platters. She also became a regular performer at Canadian Forces Bases across Canada and around the world.

Throughout her career, Richardson has sung on a number of high-profile recordings, including: Joe Sealy’s Juno Award-winning album Africville Suite (1996); Anne Murray’s What a Wonderful World: 26 Inspirational Classics (1999); Norm Amadio’s Norm Amadio and Friends (2009); Peter Appleyard’s 2012 recording “Georgia”; David Clayton-Thomas’s “Freedom for the Stallion” (2015); and Micah Barnes’s “New York Story Duet” (2016). She has also collaborated with numerous acts on stage, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Want to enjoy more great music for less? Save 20% when you attend two shows within our Songbook Series Package, celebrating some of the greatest songs of our time, including A Night in Vegas on August 23, Barbra Sings Bacharach August 9 or September 1, Rebecca Perry’s James Bond: The Songs of 007 August 11 and 12, Queens of Country August 25, Honky Tonkin’ with the Song of Hank Williams August 30, and Jackie Richardson September 2. To select our Songbook Series Package head on over to the following link to select your two shows.

 ABOUT THE VENUE

Sergeants Mess Hall 

The 180-seat Sergeants Mess Hall at Base31 is the newest performance venue to open in Prince Edward County. This architectural gem has been renovated and repurposed as a unique and intimate concert venue, featuring state-of-the art sound and lighting, with its original historic charm and character retained. Now with an alluring, cabaret lounge feel and  elevated bar service, this gem of a venue ensures a sophisticated, enjoyable and warm concert experience. The space features both reserved seating at cabaret tables and general admission seating ticket options. Enjoy some of the most legendary and impressive names in music, sharing the music you already love, along with your favourite tunes revisited by new artists we know you’ll become instant fans of. The Sergeants Mess Hall is an up-close and personal experience with the best of the stage in a beautifully reimagined setting. An unforgettable entertainment experience; it doesn’t get any better than this. 

The Sergeants Mess Hall has a rich history dating back to its construction in 1939. The building was originally built as a mess hall for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) No. 31 Bombing and Gunnery School during World War II. During the war, the building served as a gathering place for the sergeants who were stationed at the base. It was a place where they could relax, eat meals, and socialize with their fellow soldiers. After the war, the base was decommissioned and the building served a variety of purposes over the years, including as a community center, a school, and a storage facility.

General Admission

Seating is first come, first served in this section.  Please do not save seats for individuals who have not yet arrived. Our goal is to create an enjoyable and comfortable experience for all attendees. Thank you for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you at the event!

Reserved Seating

We are excited to offer reserved seating for our upcoming event. Please note: our tables at the Sergeants Mess Hall are arranged as tables of four. If you purchase less than four tickets, you will be seated with other attendees at a small table cabaret style. We hope this seating arrangement will provide a fun and sociable experience for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and we look forward to hosting you at the event.

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