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Gorecki
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Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 238
Location: Glenwood, MD
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 Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: RIP: Oscar Peterson |
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TORONTO (AP) — Oscar Peterson, whose early talent and speedy fingers
made him one of the world's best known jazz pianists, died at age 82.
His death was confirmed by Hazel McCallion, mayor of Mississauga,
Ontario, the Toronto suburb where Peterson lived. McCallion told The
Associated Press that he died of kidney failure. The Canadian
Broadcasting Corp. said he died Sunday.
"He's been going downhill in the last few months, slowing up,"
McCallion said, calling Peterson a "very close friend."
During an illustrious career spanning seven decades, Peterson played
with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Ella Fitzgerald,
Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. He is also remembered for touring in
a trio with Ray Brown on bass and Herb Ellis on guitar in the 1950s.
Peterson's impressive collection of awards include all of Canada's
highest honors, such as the Order of Canada, as well as a Lifetime
Grammy (1997) and a spot in the International Jazz Hall of Fame.
His growing stature was reflected in the admiration of his peers. Duke
Ellington referred to him as "Maharajah of the keyboard," while Count
Basie once said "Oscar Peterson plays the best ivory box I've ever heard."
"The world has lost an important jazz player," said McCallion. "It
isn't just a loss for Canada, he was world famous."
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Larry_DC
Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 207
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| Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject: |
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It's always so sad to hear that another jazz giant has left us.
RIP, Oscar, you will be missed. |
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Mark
VM Coach
Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 479
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Larry_DC wrote: | It's always so sad to hear that another jazz giant has left us.
RIP, Oscar, you will be missed. |
Missed but NEVER forgotten. Oscar has been my main jazz mentor for as long as I can remember. He carried the ultimate one-two punch in mixing a wealth of blues and jazz language into his work, and his sense of hard swing was simply unparalleled.
OP's solos were loaded with "Yeah, man!" moments, and he was a master at making a standard like "Misty" sound like "Stormy Monday" (no easy task). As a youth in the SF Bay Area I used to catch Oscar at his favorite club, the El Matador on Broadway, the same venue that Kenny Burrell used to play. Two-week engagements, six nights a week, two sets a night, and just a two-drink minimum with no cover charge. Get there a half hour before the 9 o'clock set and sit just 10-15 feet away from "The Man" at work.
Things were so relaxed in that setting, and I used to marvel at how one of his buddies would occasionally walk right up to the piano and the two would carry on a conversation while Oscar was sweating profusely and just blowing it out. He'd reach up now and then to towel himself off. Amazing doesn't even begin to explain his level of acquired talent.
Oscar was my late father's favorite pianist, and Pop would tell me that for players like Peterson, improvising was like breathing. I don't think I would have gotten into jazz if it wasn't for my deep affinity for the blues and the influence of players like OP, Kenny, and George Benson, but it was Oscar that I modeled my jazz approach after, and my quest has always been to play jazz guitar the way that OP played jazz piano. Of course, then I woke up. 
Sad day? Sure, but he left us a mind-boggling legacy with some 200 recordings, and when you consider that other jazz legends like Wes, Bird, and Trane passed at about half his age, we have to consider ourselves lucky indeed. Personally, Oscar Peterson lives on in my heart and soul every single time I pick up my guitar!
- Mark
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Dean
Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 287
Location: California
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| Posted: Sat Dec 29, 2007 6:24 am Post subject: |
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He seems to have lived a full life,doing something he loved .....It is as good as it can get.RIP with love and respect
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woland99
Joined: 31 Mar 2007
Posts: 155
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:53 am Post subject: |
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Oscar was the very first jazz musician I ever heard that had a name and
could recognize his playing. When I was a kid in Poland Polish radio had
few very nice jazz segments hosted by a working jazz musicians and band
leaders with deep love and knowledge of the music. Altho their general
interest were aligned more along Gil Evans type of jazz and there was one
time slot that I think was titled "All recordings of Charlie Parker" they also
played A LOT of OScar. As a kid I always thought he was white, tall, lanky
blond Swedish guy |
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Gorecki
Site Admin
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 238
Location: Glenwood, MD
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| Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:39 am Post subject: |
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I wish I had the chance to see him do is thing other than video. I have a boat load of it so I shouldn't complain but again, it would have been nice. I became a big Oscar fan only a year'ish ago and then he up and croaks on me. 
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