Dexterity, flow, lightening fingers, imposing presence, regal, demanding and giving, talent of super power proportions. These are the superlatives that easily describe but greatly underestimate legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, who has died at 82.I was a young jazz sax player in Detroit, and he was one of the few performers who played another instrument, in this case piano, whose live performances I could never miss. My father shared his love of jazz music with me, and early on he let me know that in jazz piano, Thelonious Monk was the "innovator", but Oscar Peterson was the "accelerator". How could one man play so fast and never sacrifice tonality, lyricism, creativity and down home approachable jazz style?
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.
Now unlike all the jazz performers of his ilk. Peterson was from Canada and always returned to his home of Canada. This sharply contrasted with the jazz giants from New York, Detroit, Philadelphia and Saint Louis. so here you had this man who you thought was a US national treasure but in fact was Canada's national treasure.
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.Click here For more Oscar Peterson Love from AP reporter Lily Hindy in New York