Oscar Peterson R.I.P

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Oscar Peterson - A Jazz giant has now left the surly bonds of this earth.
May his memory be eternal. He had been a mentor and coach to another bright shining star on Heavens fundaments namely Diana Krall.
 

Muza

New member
I am quite fond of Diana Krall, but I know nothing of Oscar Peterson unfortunately. Its ashame so many great people get discovered when they die.
 

Andrew Roussak

New member
Oscar Peterson , a canadian jazz-pianist and composer, born in 1925, was probably the most famous and the greatest jazz-pianist ever. In a classical music, he can be compared with Horowitz, Gould, Richter. His chord piano technique ( "tied hands" ) was a legend throughout his life; you can not speak of any defined style describing his music, because he himself was his style.

One of his most important compositions was the Canadiana Suite ( with my fave The Hogtown Blues ), one of my personal highlights is also his piano version of A Child Is Born - a very nice jazz-standart written by Thad Jones ( I have the transcription ). Peterson had made an innumerable amount of recordings - with a famous Oscar Peterson Trio, as well as I believe with all known jazz stars , singers and instrumentalists ( just take a look in Wiki!!! ). I even have a live-recording of a Honky - Tonk Train Blues, played by Peterson together with Keith Emerson on two pianos!

may his memory be eternal, rest in peace.
 
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NEB

New member
One of the most remarkable talents the jazz world has seen.

He took everything that was, and then added a level of virtuosity even the great art tatum hadn't achieved, and took the whole to a new level never before seen. To say that he was a legend in his time doesn't do justice.
 

rojo

(Ret)
Props to Oscar Peterson, the legend.

I don't think my Dad will mind me mentioning this; he once played four-hand piano with Oscar Peterson when he was sixteen. They attended the same high school as teenagers here in Monteal.
 

intet_at_tabe

Rear Admiral Appassionata (Ret.)
My very first jazz album purchased was the album "Night Train" by the Oscar Peterson Trio with Ray Brown (bass) and Ed Thigpen (drums). Also it was the first time, I listened to that beautiful song "Hymn to freedom". Ed Thigpen btw a long time resident in Copenhagen within the danish jazz invironment, often playing in the Jazz House Montmartre with another american living in Copenhagen at the time, Kenny Drew (piano) and the two danes N.H.Ø.P. (bass) and Alex Riel (drums). The two latter both house musicians and often jamming with international jazz musicians visiting Copenhagen.

Oscar Peterson - a true legend in jazz and a GIANT on the jazz piano. He recorded more than 100 albums in his life. Among the very best of those IMHO are the ones recorded with PabloRecords, producer Norman Ganz., at Montreux Jazz Festival whether playing with The Big Four, The Big Five or The Big Six for instance "Pablo Live" or with the Oscar Peterson/Buddy DeFranco Quintet on the album "Hark".

Oscar Peterson will always stand among the truely great pianists in jazz, and he will remain one of my top jazz musicians and pianists along with Bill Evans, Art Tatum, Thelonius Monk etc.etc.
 

NEB

New member
I saw Oscar Peterson and the trio in Edinburgh at the festival many years ago. They took over and packed the Usher Hall. A very rare treat to see such a talent live.

My favourite of his albums and coincidentally the first I bought is 'We get Requests'. Entirely made up of exquisite workings of jazz standards...
 
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