Member of the Order of Canada

• Awarded on: October 23, 2008
• Invested on: November 05, 2009

Douglas Cole is a key figure in the development of jazz in Canada. An impresario, he nurtured young artists and provided critical performance experience. With Canada's longest-running jazz club, George's Spaghetti House, which he opened in Toronto, and later with other clubs, he gave musicians the opportunity to experiment and hone their craft in a live-music setting. He also invited established musicians from other countries to perform with them in order to help further their development. As a result, many of our jazz greats were able to build careers in Canada. Known for his love of music and for his generosity, he also helped young musicians with financial assistance to further their academic education.