Oscar Peterson
Background information
Birth name	Oscar Emmanuel Peterson
Born	15 August 1925(1925-08-15)
Origin	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died	23 December 2007 (aged 82) Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Genre(s)	Jazz
Occupation(s)	Pianist, composer
Instrument(s)	Piano
Years active	1945–2007
Label(s)	Mercury, MPS, Pablo, Telarc, Verve
Website	www.oscarpeterson.com

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, O.Ont. (15 August 1925 – 23 December 2007)^[1][2] was a Canadian jazz pianist, vocalist and composer cultural icon. Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Mississauga (ˌmɪsɪˈsɑgə) incorporated in 1974 is a City located in the Regional Municipality of Peel Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States A pianist (/'piənɪst/ is a Musician who plays the Piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces play with an ensemble or Orchestra A composer (literally meaning 'one who puts together' is a person who creates Music, usually in the medium of notation, for Interpretation and Performance A musical instrument is a device constructed or modified for the purpose of making Music. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Mercury Records is a Record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Music Group in the US and are both subsidiaries of Pablo Records was a Record label founded Telarc International Corporation is an Independent record label, based in Cleveland Ohio, United States, and founded in 1977 by two classically Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group. The Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the order's Latin This article is about the Canadian order Oont is Urdu for " Camel " and was adopted as an Anglo-Indian term for the animal during British Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States A pianist (/'piənɪst/ is a Musician who plays the Piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces play with an ensemble or Orchestra A composer (literally meaning 'one who puts together' is a person who creates Music, usually in the medium of notation, for Interpretation and Performance A cultural icon can be an Image, a Symbol, a Logo, Picture, Name, Face, Person, or Building ^[3] He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O. The word Mahārāja (also spelled maharajah) is Sanskrit for "great king" or " High king " (a Karmadharaya from mahānt Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. P. " by his friends,^[4] and was a member of jazz royalty. Jazz royalty is a term that reflects the many great Jazz musicians who have some sort of royal, aristocratic or other honorific title added to their names or ^[5] He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences He is considered to have been one of the greatest pianists of all time,^[6] who played thousands of live concerts to audiences worldwide in a career lasting more than 65 years.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Influences 1.2 Norman Granz 1.3 Duets 1.4 Trio 1.5 Quartet 1.6 Further career 1.7 Composer and teacher 1.8 Stroke and later years 2 Awards and recognition 2.1 Musical awards and recognition 2.2 Recognition in Canada 3 Instruments 4 Discography 5 References 6 External links

Biography

Peterson grew up in the neighbourhood of Little Burgundy, Montreal. Little Burgundy is the informal name of a Neighbourhood in the Southwest borough of the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec It was in this predominantly black neighbourhood that he found himself surrounded by the jazz culture that flourished in the early 20th century. Black Canadians', Caribbean Canadians, and African Canadians are designations used for people of Black African descent who reside in ^[7] At the age of five, Peterson began honing his skills with the trumpet and piano. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers However, by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he directed all his attention to the piano. Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common His father, Daniel Peterson, an amateur trumpeter and pianist, was one of his first music teachers, and his sister, Daisy, taught young Oscar the classical piano. Young Oscar was persistent at practising scales and classical etudes daily, and thanks to such arduous practice he developed his astonishing virtuosity.

As a child, Peterson also studied with Hungarian-born pianist Paul de Marky, a student of Istvan Thomán who was himself a pupil of Franz Liszt, so his training was predominantly based on classical piano. Meanwhile he was captivated by the traditional jazz and learned several ragtimes and especially the boogie-woogie. Ragtime (alternately spelled Rag-time) is an American musical genre which enjoyed its peak popularity between 1897 and 1918 Boogie-woogie is a style of Piano -based Blues that became very popular in the late 1930s and early 1940s but originated much earlier and was extended from piano At that time Peterson was called "the Brown Bomber of the Boogie-Woogie. "^[8]

At age nine Peterson played piano with control that impressed professional musicians. For many years his piano studies included four to six hours of practice daily. Only in his later years did he decrease his daily practice to just one or two hours. In 1940, at age fourteen, Peterson won the national music competition organized by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. After that victory, he dropped out of school and became a professional pianist working for a weekly radio show, and playing at hotels and music halls.

Influences

Some of the artists who influenced Peterson's musicianship during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson and Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. Theodore Shaw "Teddy" Wilson ( November 24 1912 &ndash July 31 1986) was a jazz pianist from the United States Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17 1919 &ndash February 15 1965 known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician James Price Johnson ( February 1 1894 &ndash November 17 1955) was an African-American Pianist and Composer. Arthur Tatum Jr ( October 13, 1909 – November 5, 1956) was an American Jazz Pianist and Virtuoso. ^[9] One of his first exposures to Tatum's musical talents came early in his teen years when his father played Art Tatum's Tiger Rag for him, and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he became disillusioned about his own playing. " Tiger Rag " is a Jazz standard, originally recorded by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917 In his own words, "Tatum scared me to death" and Peterson was "never cocky again" about his mastery at the piano. ^[10] Tatum was a model for Peterson's musicianship during the 1940s and 1950s. Tatum and Peterson eventually became good friends, although Peterson was always shy about being compared with Tatum and rarely played the piano in Tatum's presence.

Peterson has also credited his sister Daisy Sweeney — a noted piano teacher in Montreal who also taught several other noted Canadian jazz musicians — with being an important teacher and influence on his career. Daisy Peterson Sweeney (born May 7, 1920) was a Canadian music teacher known for having taught many of the most notable figures in Canadian Jazz Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Under his sister's tutelage, Peterson expanded into classical piano training and broadened his range while mastering the core classical pianism from rigorous scales to such staples of every pianist's repertoire as preludes and fugues by Johann Sebastian Bach. WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section.2 This article is written in British English including maximised use of "-ise" ^[11]

Building on Art Tatum's pianism and aesthetics, Peterson also absorbed Tatum's musical influences, notably from piano concertos by Sergei Rachmaninoff. WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section --> Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (Сергей Васильевич Рахманинов Rachmaninoff's harmonizations, as well as direct quotations from his second piano concerto, are thrown here and there in many recordings by Peterson, including his work with the Ray Brown and Herb Ellis trio, such as "When Your Lover Has Gone" and other pieces. During the 1960s and 1970s Peterson made numerous solo recordings that reveal more of his eclectic style that absorbed influences from various genres of jazz, popular and classical music.

Oscar Peterson's influence among jazz musicians is profound. Musicians who name Oscar Peterson as a major influence are countless. Among them are Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander, Detroit pianist / vocalist Johnny O'Neal and Birmingham pianist / vocalist Ray Reach. Monty Alexander (born Montgomery Bernard Alexander on June 6 1944 in Kingston, Jamaica) is a Jamaican Pianist and Melodica Johnny O'Neal (born in Detroit Michigan) is an American Neo-bop jazz pianist Raymond Everett Reach Jr (born August 3, 1948) is an American Pianist, Vocalist and Educator based in Birmingham Alabama

Norman Granz

An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve) and Granz's "Jazz at the Philharmonic" project. Impresario, from the Italian impresa an enterprise or undertaking is a traditional term still very much in use in the Entertainment industry for Norman Granz ( Los Angeles, USA, August 6, 1918 - Geneva, Switzerland, November 22, 2001) was an American Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group. Jazz at the Philharmonic or JATP (1944 - 1983 was the title of a series of Concerts and Recordings produced by Norman Granz (1918 - 2001 Granz discovered Peterson in a peculiar manner. As the impresario was being taken to the Montreal airport by cab, the radio was playing a live broadcast of Peterson at a local night club. Granz was so smitten by what he heard that he ordered the driver to take him to the club so that he could meet the pianist. In 1949, Granz introduced Peterson at a Carnegie Hall Jazz at the Philharmonic show in New York. ^[12]

So was born a lasting relationship and Granz remained Peterson's manager for most of his career. One poignant illustration: in the last two years of his life, Peterson doted on a boxer dog that he named "Smedley," Peterson's nickname for Granz. On the day of Peterson's death, Smedley lay on the bed with him and would not leave. ^[13]

This was more than a managerial relationship; Peterson praised Granz for standing up for him and other black jazz musicians in the segregationist south of the 1950s and 1960s. For example, in the Canadian Broadcasting Company's two-part documentary video Music in the Key of Oscar, Peterson tells how Granz stood up to a gun-toting southern policeman who wanted to stop the trio from using "white-only" taxis. The entire documentary is a fascinating account of Peterson's life from his Montreal childhood, to his career, to his family relations and includes interviews with Peterson, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and Ella Fitzgerald. Its narrative ends in 1993, just before Peterson's debilitating stroke. ^[14]

In the course of his career, Peterson developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist and became a regular on Canadian radio from the 1940s. Radio is the transmission of signals by Modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible Light. His name was already recognized in the United States. However, his 1949 debut at Carnegie Hall, New York City, arranged by Norman Granz, was uncredited; owing to union restrictions, his appearance could not be billed. Carnegie Hall (generally ˌkɑrnɨgi ˈhɔːl is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east The City of New York Norman Granz ( Los Angeles, USA, August 6, 1918 - Geneva, Switzerland, November 22, 2001) was an American

Through Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Some of his musical associates included Ray Brown, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Anita O'Day, Fred Astaire, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz. Raymond Matthews Brown ( October 13 1926 &ndash July 2 2002) was an American Jazz Double bassist. Coleman Randolph Hawkins ( November 21 1904 - May 19 1969) Nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean" was a prominent Benjamin Francis Webster ( March 27 1909 &ndash September 20 1973) aka " The Brute " or " Frog," was an Milton (Milt Jackson (January 1 1923 in Detroit Michigan &ndash October 9 1999 was an American Jazz Vibraphonist and one of the most important figures Mitchell Herbert (Herb Ellis (born August 4, 1921) is an American Jazz Guitarist. Barney Kessel ( October 17, 1923 &ndash May 6, 2004) was an American Jazz Guitarist born in Muskogee Oklahoma Edmund Leonard (Ed Thigpen (born December 28, 1930) is an American jazz drummer born in Chicago Illinois, perhaps best-known for Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (nils'hɛneŋ 'ɶɐ̥sd̥əð̥ 'pʰɛð̥ɐ̥sn May 27, 1946 &ndash April 19, 2005) was a Danish Louis Armstrong (August 4 1901 &ndash July 6 1971 nicknamed Satchmo or Sachimo and Pops, was an American Jazz Trumpeter Stéphane Grappelli ( January 26 1908 &ndash December 1 1997) was a French Jazz Violinist who founded the Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential Clark Terry (born December 14, 1920) nicknamed Mumbles, is a Grammy Award-winning American swing and bop Trumpeter, a Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Passalaqua, January 13, 1929, New Brunswick, New Jersey, U Anita O'Day ( October 18, 1919 &ndash November 23, 2006) was an American Jazz singer Fred Astaire (born Frederick Austerlitz; May 10, 1899 &ndash June 22, 1987) was an American Academy Award William "Count" Basie ( August 21, 1904 &ndash April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, Organist John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie ( October 21 1917 &ndash January 6 1993) was an American Jazz Trumpeter Stanley Gayetzky ( February 2, 1927 in Philadelphia – June 6, 1991 in Malibu, California) usually known by

Duets

Peterson made numerous duo performances and recordings with bassists Ray Brown, Sam Jones, and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, guitarists Joe Pass, Irving Ashby, Herb Ellis, and Barney Kessel, pianists Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Bennie Green, and Keith Emerson, trumpeters Clark Terry and Louis Armstrong, and many other important jazz players. Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (nils'hɛneŋ 'ɶɐ̥sd̥əð̥ 'pʰɛð̥ɐ̥sn May 27, 1946 &ndash April 19, 2005) was a Danish His 1950s duo recordings with bassist Ray Brown mark the formation of one of the longest lasting partnerships in the history of jazz. Peterson's 1970's duo with guitarist Joe Pass has been considered one of the highest standards in the genre. Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Passalaqua, January 13, 1929, New Brunswick, New Jersey, U

According to pianist/educator Mark Eisenman, some of Peterson's best playing was as an understated accompanist to singer Ella Fitzgerald and trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential Roy David Eldridge ( January 30, 1911 &ndash February 26, 1989) nicknamed "Little Jazz" was an American ^[15]

Trio

Peterson redefined the jazz trio by bringing musicianship of all three members to the highest level. The definitive trio with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis was, in his own words "the most stimulating" and productive setting for public performances as well as in studio recordings. In the early 1950s, Peterson began performing with Ray Brown and Charlie Smith as the Oscar Peterson Trio. Shortly afterward the drummer Smith was replaced by guitarist Irving Ashby, formerly of the Nat King Cole Trio. Irving Ashby (born 29 December 1920; died 22 april 1987) was an American Jazz Guitarist. Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17 1919 &ndash February 15 1965 known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician Ashby, who was a swing guitarist, was soon replaced by Barney Kessel. Barney Kessel ( October 17, 1923 &ndash May 6, 2004) was an American Jazz Guitarist born in Muskogee Oklahoma ^[16] Kessel tired of touring after a year, and was succeeded by Herb Ellis. Mitchell Herbert (Herb Ellis (born August 4, 1921) is an American Jazz Guitarist. As Ellis was white, Peterson's trios were racially integrated, a controversial move at the time that was fraught with difficulties with segregationist whites and blacks.

"Oscar Peterson Trio at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival" is widely regarded as the landmark album in Peterson's career, and one of the most influential trios in jazz. Their last recording, "On The Town with the Oscar Peterson Trio", recorded live at the Town Tavern in Toronto, captured a remarkable degree of emotional as well as musical understanding between three players. ^[17] All three musicians were equal contributors involved in a highly sophisticated improvisational interplay. When Herb Ellis left the group in 1958, Peterson and Brown believed they could not adequately replace Ellis. Ellis was replaced by drummer Ed Thigpen in 1959. Edmund Leonard (Ed Thigpen (born December 28, 1930) is an American jazz drummer born in Chicago Illinois, perhaps best-known for The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Brown and Thigpen worked with Peterson on his famous albums Night Train and the successful Canadiana Suite. The Canadiana Suite is a 1964 (see 1964 in music) album featuring a jazz trio led by the Canadian Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson The two guys in 1965 left and were replaced by Sam Jones and Bobby Durham. The trio had performed together until 1970. The albums that they had done were a bunch of pop songs like The Beatles' Yesterday and Eleanor Rigby. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 " Eleanor Rigsby " is a song by The Beatles, originally released on the 1966 Album Revolver. In the fall of 1970, Peterson's trio were successful in their album Tristeza on Piano which was a eulogy of the recently deceased Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin, the Monterey Pop Festival stars. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from The Monterey International Pop Music Festival was a three-day concert event held June 16 to June 18 1967 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey This record was released on CD in 1999, went out of print, and then came back remastered in 2005 as an anniversary edition. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Selections from this trio's work have been incidentally used for Japanese anime and other live action films. (anime in Japanese, Jones and Durham left in 1970.

In the 1970s Peterson formed another landmark trio with virtuoso guitarist Joe Pass and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass. Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Passalaqua, January 13, 1929, New Brunswick, New Jersey, U Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (nils'hɛneŋ 'ɶɐ̥sd̥əð̥ 'pʰɛð̥ɐ̥sn May 27, 1946 &ndash April 19, 2005) was a Danish This trio emulated the success of the 1950's trio with Brown and Ellis, gave acclaimed performances at numerous festivals, and made best-selling recordings, most notably the 1978 double album recorded live in Paris. In 1974 Oscar added British drummer, Martin Drew, and this quartet toured and recorded extensively worldwide.

Quartet

A quartet was a less permanent setting for Peterson, after the trio or duo, as it was hard to find equally powerful musicians available for a tightly knit arrangement with him. After the loss of Ellis his next trio eventually turned into a quartet after he added a drummer — first Gene Gammage for a brief time, then Ed Thigpen. Edmund Leonard (Ed Thigpen (born December 28, 1930) is an American jazz drummer born in Chicago Illinois, perhaps best-known for In this group Peterson became the dominant soloist. Later members of the group were Louis Hayes, Bobby Durham, Ray Price, Sam Jones, George Mraz and Martin Drew. Louis Hayes (born May 31 1937 in Detroit MI is a Jazz Hard bop drummer Ray Price may refer to Ray Price (musician, an American country and western singer Ray Price (cricketer, a Zimbabwean cricketer George Mraz (born Jiří Mráz on September 9, 1944 in Písek, Czech Republic) is a jazz bassist and alto saxophonist Martin Drew (born 11 February, 1944 in Northampton) is an English jazz drummer who has played with Ronnie Scott (1975-1995 and ^[6]

Peterson often formed a quartet by adding a fourth player to his existing trios. He was open to experimental collaborations with jazz stars, such as saxophonist Ben Webster, trumpeter Clark Terry, and vibraphonist Milt Jackson among others. Benjamin Francis Webster ( March 27 1909 &ndash September 20 1973) aka " The Brute " or " Frog," was an Clark Terry (born December 14, 1920) nicknamed Mumbles, is a Grammy Award-winning American swing and bop Trumpeter, a Milton (Milt Jackson (January 1 1923 in Detroit Michigan &ndash October 9 1999 was an American Jazz Vibraphonist and one of the most important figures In 1961, the Peterson trio with Jackson recorded a highly praised album, Very Tall.

Further career

From the late 1950s, when Peterson gained worldwide recognition as one of the leading pianists in jazz, he played in a variety of settings: solo, duo, trio, quartet, small bands, and big bands. However, his solo piano recitals, as well as his solo piano recordings were rare, until he chose to make a series of solo albums titled "Exclusively for my friends. " These solo piano sessions, made for the Musik Produktion Schwarzwald (MPS) label, were Peterson's response to the emergence of such stars as Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner. William John Evans (better known as Bill Evans) ( August 16, 1929 &ndash September 15, 1980) was one of the most famous and influential Alfred McCoy Tyner (born 11 December 1938) is a jazz pianist from Philadelphia Pennsylvania, known for his work with the John Coltrane

Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for MPS in the late 1960s and early 1970s. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973. Pablo Records was a Record label founded In the 1990s and 2000s he recorded several albums accompanied by a combo for Telarc. Telarc International Corporation is an Independent record label, based in Cleveland Ohio, United States, and founded in 1977 by two classically

In the 1980s he played successfully in a duo with pianist Herbie Hancock. Herbert Jeffrey Hancock ("Herbie" born April 12 1940 is a Jazz Pianist and Composer. In the late 1980s and 1990s, after the stroke, Peterson made performances and recordings with his protégé Benny Green. Not to be confused with British jazz saxophonist Benny Green.

Composer and teacher

Peterson wrote pieces for piano, for trio, for quartet and for big band. He also wrote several songs, and made recordings as a singer. Probably his best-known compositions are "Canadiana Suite" and "Hymn to Freedom," the latter composed in the 1960s and inspired by the U. S. civil rights movement.

Peterson taught piano and improvisation in Canada, mainly in Toronto. With associates, he started and headed the Advanced School of Contemporary Music in Toronto for five years during the 1960s, but it closed because concert touring called him and his associates away, and it did not have government funding. ^[18] Later, he mentored the York University jazz program and was the Chancellor of the entire university for several years in the early 1990s. York University (Université York is a public Research university located in Toronto, Ontario. He also published his original jazz piano etudes for practice. However, he asked his students to study the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, especially the Well Tempered Clavier, the Goldberg Variations, and the The Art of Fugue, considering these piano pieces essential for every serious pianist. WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section.2 This article is written in British English including maximised use of "-ise" The Well-Tempered Clavier ( Das Wohltemperirte Clavier in the original old German spelling BWV 846–893 is a collection of solo keyboard music composed by The Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 are a set of 30 variations for Harpsichord by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Art of Fugue or The Art of the Fugue (original German Die Kunst der Fuge) BWV 1080 is an incomplete masterpiece Pianists Benny Green and Oliver Jones were among his students. Not to be confused with British jazz saxophonist Benny Green. Oliver Theophilus Jones (born on September 11 1934 in Little Burgundy, Montreal, Quebec) is a Canadian Jazz ^[19]

Stroke and later years

Peterson had arthritis since his youth, and in later years could hardly button his shirt. Never slender, his weight increased to 125 kg (275 pounds), hindering his mobility. He had hip replacement surgery in the early 1990s. ^[20] Although the surgery was successful, his mobility still was not good. Somewhat later, in 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. Also in 1993 incoming Prime Minister and longtime Peterson fan and friend Jean Chrétien offered Peterson the position of Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, but according to Chrétien he declined, citing the health problems from his recent stroke. Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, (generally known as Jean Chrétien) (born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian politician who was the twentieth Prime The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario is the vice-regal representative of the Queen of Canada in the province of Ontario. ^[21]

After the stroke, Peterson recuperated for about two years. He gradually regained mobility and some control of his left hand. However, his virtuosity was never restored to the original level, and his playing after his stroke relied principally on his right hand. ^[22] In 1995 he returned to public performances on a limited basis, and also made several live and studio recordings for Telarc. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award, another indication that Peterson continued to be regarded as one of the greatest jazz musicians ever to play. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by the Recording Academy to "performers who during their lifetimes have made creative contributions of outstanding Canadian politician, friend, and amateur pianist Bob Rae contends that "a one-handed Oscar was better than just about anyone with two hands". Robert Keith "Bob" Rae PC OC QC OOnt MP (born August 2, 1948) is a Canadian ^[23]

In 2003, Peterson recorded the DVD A Night in Vienna for Verve, with Niels Pedersen, Ulf Wakenius and Martin Drew. Martin Drew (born 11 February, 1944 in Northampton) is an English jazz drummer who has played with Ronnie Scott (1975-1995 and He continued to tour the U. S. and Europe, though maximally one month a year, with a couple of days' rest between concerts to recover his strength. His accompanists consisted of Ulf Wakenius (guitar), David Young (bass),^[24] and Alvin Queen (drums), all leaders of their own groups.

Peterson's health declined rapidly in 2007. He had to cancel his performance at the 2007 Toronto Jazz Festival and his attendance at a June 8, 2007 Carnegie Hall all-star performance in his honour, owing to illness. Events 68 - The Roman Senate accepts emperor Galba. 536 - St Silverius becomes Pope (probable Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. On 23 December 2007, Peterson died of renal failure at his home in Mississauga, Ontario. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Renal failure or kidney ^[1] He left seven children, his fourth wife Kelly, and their daughter, Celine (born 1991).

Awards and recognition

Musical awards and recognition

Begone Dull Care is an abstract film presentation of Oscar's music, released in 1949. Begone Dull Care ( 1949) is an abstract Animated film directed by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart.

His work earned him seven Grammy awards over the years and he was elected to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1978. The Canadian Music Hall of Fame honors Canadian musicians for their lifetime achievements in Music. He also belongs to the Juno Awards Hall of Fame and the Canadian Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame. The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian Musical Artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music

Peterson received the Roy Thomson Award (1987), a Toronto Arts Award for lifetime achievement (1991), the Governor General's Performing Arts Award (1992), the Glenn Gould Prize (1993), the award of the International Society for Performing Artists (1995), the Loyola Medal of Concordia University (1997), the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1997), the Praemium Imperiale World Art Award (1999), the UNESCO Music Prize (2000), and the Toronto Musicians' Association Musician of the Year award (2001). The Glenn Gould Prize is an international award bestowed by the Glenn Gould Foundation in memory of noted Canadian pianist Glenn Gould. In 1961 the Loyola Alumni Association and the administration of Loyola College (Montreal agreed to the creation of the Loyola Medal "as a permanent tribute to the outstanding leadership Concordia University is a comprehensive Public university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award is awarded by the Recording Academy to "performers who during their lifetimes have made creative contributions of outstanding The Praemium Imperiale ( jap 高松宮殿下記念世界文化賞 Takamatsu no miya denka kinen sekai bunka-shō lit

In 1999, Concordia University in Montreal renamed their Loyola-campus concert hall Oscar Peterson Concert Hall in his honour. Concordia University is a comprehensive Public university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ^[25]

In 2005, Peterson celebrated his 80th birthday at the HMV flagship store in Toronto, where a crowd of about 200 gathered to celebrate with him. Diana Krall sang happy birthday to him and also performed a vocal version of one of Peterson's songs "When Summer Comes". Diana Jean Krall, OC, OBC (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian Jazz Pianist and Singer. The lyrics for this version were written by Elvis Costello, Krall's husband. Elvis Costello (born Declan Patrick MacManus 25 August 1954 is an English Musician and Singer-songwriter, with Irish ancestry Canada Post unveiled a commemorative postage stamp in his honour. The event was covered by a live radio broadcast by Toronto jazz station, JAZZ.FM. CJRT-FM is a Canadian Public radio station which broadcasts at 91

Peterson received the BBC-Radio Lifetime Achievement Award, London, England. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland ^[26]

"Technique is something you use to make your ideas listenable," he once told jazz writer Len Lyons. "You learn to play the instrument so you have a musical vocabulary, and you practice to get your technique to the point you need to express yourself, depending on how heavy your ideas are. "

"Some may criticize Peterson for not advancing, for finding his niche and staying with it for an entire career, but while he may not be the most revolutionary artist in jazz, [the documentary] Music in the Key of Oscar demonstrates that breaking down barriers can be accomplished in more ways than one. "^[27] "He was a crystallizer, rather than an innovator. "^[22]

""His hands could do things few piano players can do," said pianist Bill King who studied with Peterson at his music school. Because Peterson was a big man — six feet three inches — he could stretch his hands over a keyboard in a way few musicians can match. ^[28]

Ray Charles, in Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues - Piano Blues (2003), said "Oscar Peterson is a mother fucking piano player!"

"Miles Davis once commented, 'Nearly everything Peterson plays, he plays with the same degree of force. Ray Charles Robinson ( September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his Stage name Ray Charles, was an American Piano blues refers to a variety of Blues styles sharing only the characteristic that they use the Piano as the primary musical instrument Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26 1926 &ndash September 28 1991 was an American Jazz Trumpeter, Bandleader, and Composer. He leaves no holes for the rhythm section. ' But this merely describes the difference between the two players; Davis did not have Peterson's powerful technique, and found a different kind of expression. "^[6]

Recognition in Canada

While Peterson was recognized as a great jazz pianist throughout the world, he was noted in Canada as also being a leading personage and public figure. This can be seen in the acclaim and awards he received, especially in the last twenty or so years of his life.

He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1972, and promoted to Companion, its highest rank, in 1984. The Order of Canada is the highest civilian honour within the Canadian system of honours, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the order's Latin He was also a member of the Order of Ontario, a Chevalier of the National Order of Quebec and an officer of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres of France. This article is about the Canadian order Oont is Urdu for " Camel " and was adopted as an Anglo-Indian term for the animal during British The Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Literature is an Order of France, established on May 2, 1957 by the Minister

From 1991 to 1994, Peterson was chancellor of York University in Toronto. York University (Université York is a public Research university located in Toronto, Ontario. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario The chancellor is the titular head of the university. Weeks after his death, the Province of Ontario announced a C$4 million scholarship for the "Oscar Peterson Chair" for Jazz Performance at York University with an additional C$1 million to be awarded annually in music scholarships to underprivileged York students in tribute to Peterson. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec ^[28]

Peterson's niece, television journalist Sylvia Sweeney, produced an award-winning documentary film, In the Key of Oscar, about Peterson in 1992. Sylvia Sweeney (born October 3, 1956) is a Canadian journalist and television producer and former Olympic competitor

Unlike almost any other jazz musician, Oscar Peterson was networked with Canadian elites in the later years of his life. For example, former Ontario premier Bob Rae recalled that in 2007, he, Ontario Chief Justice Roy McMurtry, and former Ontario premier Bill Davis celebrated McMurtry's retirement with Peterson, his wife, and their wives. Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Robert Keith "Bob" Rae PC OC QC OOnt MP (born August 2, 1948) is a Canadian Roland "Roy" McMurtry (born May 31, 1932) is a Judge and former Politician in Ontario, William Grenville "Bill" Davis, PC, CC, OOnt, QC (born July 30, 1929 in Brampton Ontario) was ^[29]

Peterson received honorary doctorates from many Canadian universities: Carleton University, Queen's University, Concordia University, McMaster University, Mount Allison University, the University of Victoria, the University of Western Ontario, York University, the University of Toronto, and the Université Laval, as well as from Northwestern University in the United States. This article is about the university in Ottawa Ontario Canada Queen's University, generally referred to simply as Queen's, is a coeducational non-sectarian Public university located in Kingston, Ontario Concordia University is a comprehensive Public university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. McMaster redirects here for others see McMaster (disambiguation. Mount Allison University (also Mount A or MTA) is a primarily undergraduate Canadian liberal arts and science university situated in Sackville The University of Victoria (UVic is located in Greater Victoria British Columbia, Canada (northeast of Victoria) The University of Western Ontario (known as Western, as well as UWO or Western Ontario) is a public research University located in London York University (Université York is a public Research university located in Toronto, Ontario. This article is about the University of Toronto's St George Campus

In 2004, the City of Toronto named the courtyard of the Toronto-Dominion Centre "Oscar Peterson Square". The Toronto-Dominion Centre is a large cluster of buildings in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In 2005, the Peel District School Board in suburban Toronto opened the Oscar Peterson school in Mississauga, Ontario, two miles from his home. Toronto (təˈrɒntoʊ colloquially pronounced or) is the largest city in Canada and is the provincial capital of Ontario Mississauga (ˌmɪsɪˈsɑgə) incorporated in 1974 is a City located in the Regional Municipality of Peel Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Peterson said, "This is a most unexpected and moving tribute. "^[30] He visited the school several times and donated electronic musical equipment to it. ^[22] Soon after Peterson's death, the University of Toronto Mississauga opened a major student residence in March 2008 as "Oscar Peterson Hall". The University of Toronto Mississauga ( U of T Mississauga or UTM) also known as Erindale College, is a campus of the University of Toronto ^[31]

Former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien wanted to appoint Peterson to the titular post of Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario in 1993, but Peterson felt that his health could not stand up to the many ceremonial duties that this position would require. Joseph Jacques Jean Chrétien, (generally known as Jean Chrétien) (born January 11, 1934) is a Canadian politician who was the twentieth Prime Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec "He was the most famous Canadian in the world," said Chrétien. Chrétien also said that Nelson Mandela glowed when meeting Peterson. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (xolíɬaɬa mandéːla born 18 July 1918 is a former President of South Africa, the first to be elected in fully representative "It was very emotional. They were both moved to meet each other. These were two men with humble beginnings who rose to very illustrious levels. "^[32]

A major memorial concert, held on January 12, 2008, filled the 2500-seat Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Roy Thomson Hall is a concert hall located at 60 Simcoe Street in Toronto, Ontario. People had queued for more than three hours to get in. Canadian Governor General Michaëlle Jean reported at the concert that "thousands" more could not get in. Michaëlle Jean, CC CMM COM CD ʒɑ̃ (born September 6, 1957, in Port-au-Prince, Among the performers were Grégory Charles, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Phil Nimmons and singers Audrey Morris and Nancy Wilson. Gregory Charles (born February 12, 1968 in Montreal) is a Quebec performing artist of Trinidadian origin Herbert Jeffrey Hancock ("Herbie" born April 12 1940 is a Jazz Pianist and Composer. Quincy Delight Jones Jr (born March 14, 1933) also known as Q, is an American Music Impresario, conductor Phillip Rista (Phil Nimmons, OC (born June 3, 1923) is a Canadian Jazz Clarinetist, composer bandleader and academic Nancy Wilson may refer to Nancy Wilson (singer (born 1937 American jazz singer and actress Nancy Wilson (guitarist (born 1954 American The "Oscar Peterson" quartet played key pieces; they are Monty Alexander, Jeff Hamilton, Ulf Wakenius and Dave Young. All toured with Peterson during his late "one-handed" period" except Alexander. Andrew Craig and the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, with opera soprano Measha Brueggergosman closed the show, singing an excerpt from Peterson's "Hymn to Freedom". The Nathaniel Dett Chorale is a Canadian choral group that specializes in Afrocentric music of all styles including classical spiritual gospel jazz folk and blues The show was made available for download. ^[23]

A movement was begun on Facebook to rename the Lionel-Groulx Metro station, a transfer station between Montreal's Green Line and Orange Line, in honour of Oscar Peterson. Facebook is a social networking Website launched on February 4 2004 Lionel-Groulx is a station of the Montreal Metro rapid transit system operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM The Green (Line 1 line is one of the four lines of the metro in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Orange (Line 2 line is the longest of the four lines of the metro in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Transit Corporation, however, has refused to end its moratorium on renaming Metro stations and the city's policy on landmark tributes are to await at least a year since a public figure's death. The Société de transport de Montréal ( English: Montreal Transit Corporation) is the agency that operates Buses and the Métro in ^{[33][34][35][36]}

Instruments

• Bösendorfer pianos - exclusively in the 1990s and 2000s
• Yamaha - Acoustic and Disklavier- 1998-2006 in Canada (Touring and Recording)
• Steinway & Sons pianos - most performances from 1940s through the 1980s, some recordings. Bösendorfer (L Bösendorfer Klavierfabrik GmbH) is an Austrian Piano manufacturer now a Wholly owned subsidiary of Yamaha. Steinway & Sons (often called Steinway) is a Piano maker since 1853 in New York City, USA.
• Baldwin pianos - some performances in the USA, some recordings.
• C. Bechstein Pianofortefabrik pianos - some performances and recordings in Europe. C Bechstein Pianofortefabrik AG ( (also known as Bechstein) is a German manufacturer of Pianos highly regarded for their concert Grand pianos
• Celesta - on album "Porgy and Bess" with Joe Pass
• Fender electric piano - several recordings. The celesta (pronounced /səˈlɛstə/ or celeste (pronounced /səˈlɛst/ is a struck Idiophone operated by a keyboard. Joe Pass (born Joseph Anthony Passalaqua, January 13, 1929, New Brunswick, New Jersey, U A Rhodes piano is an electromechanical Musical instrument, a brand of Electric piano.
• Synthesizer - several recordings.
• Hammond organ - some live performances and several recordings. The Hammond organ is an electric organ which was invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company
• Vocals - some live performances and several recordings.

Discography

Further information: Oscar Peterson discography

References

External links

• Alan Hustak, Jazz Legend, Oscar Peterson, dies at 82, The Montreal Gazette, 24 December 2007
• Canadian Broadcasting Corporation full obituary, December 24, 2007
• CBC Digital Archives: Oscar Peterson: A Jazz Giant
• Image of the Oscar Peterson postage stamp
• Jazz Giant The Oscar Peterson Discography
• John Fordham, Oscar Peterson (obituary), The Guardian, 25 December 2007
• Live performance photographs Jazz Alley, Seattle, 29 June 2004
• Marian McPartland and Oscar Peterson on NPR
• Oscar Peterson official website
• Oscar Peterson video interview in which his passion for photography is discussed
• Oscar Peterson, A Portrait, 2002
• Oscar Peterson on Jazz Police
• Oscar Peterson's Concert Hall
• Oscar Peterson entry at the Jazz Discography Project
• Oscar Peterson: A Jazz Sensation--A Virtual Exhibition from Library and Archives Canada
• Oscar Peterson Tribute: Feelings from the Heart. From The Living Arts Centre, February 14, 2008.
• Oscar Peterson (Obituary), The Telegraph, 26 December 2007
• Oscar Peterson (obituary), The Times, 26 December 2007
• Steve Voce, Oscar Peterson: Virtuoso pianist who dominated jazz piano in the second half of the 20th century (obituary), The Independent, 26 December 2007

Academic offices
Preceded by Larry Clarke	Chancellor of York University 1991–1994	Succeeded by Arden Haynes

Persondata
NAME	Peterson, Oscar
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	jazz pianist, composer, university chancellor
DATE OF BIRTH	August 15, 1925
PLACE OF BIRTH	Montreal, Quebec, Canada
DATE OF DEATH	December 23, 2007
PLACE OF DEATH	Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

Larry Denman Clarke (born June 12, 1925) is a Canadian businessman and the founder president chief executive officer and chairman of SPAR Aerospace A Chancellor is the head of a University. Other titles are sometimes used such as President or Rector. York University (Université York is a public Research university located in Toronto, Ontario. Arden Haynes (born 1927 is a Canadian businessman and the ninth Chancellor of York University (1994 to 1998 Jazz is an American Musical art form which originated in the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States A pianist (/'piənɪst/ is a Musician who plays the Piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces play with an ensemble or Orchestra A composer (literally meaning 'one who puts together' is a person who creates Music, usually in the medium of notation, for Interpretation and Performance Events 778 - The Battle of Roncevaux Pass, at which Roland is killed Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Quebec (kwɨˈbɛk Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Mississauga (ˌmɪsɪˈsɑgə) incorporated in 1974 is a City located in the Regional Municipality of Peel Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page

---

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic