Music
Oscar Peterson, 1925-2007
I was lucky enough to have studied jazz at York University while Oscar Peterson was the school's chancellor. Even though our paths never crossed, his presence was almost palpable. I played in an ensemble under the tutelage of Don Thompson, a Canadian jazz giant in his our right, and every once in a while he'd make us put down our instruments and stop talking theory so we could listen to the masters. He'd play us records from his collection - Clifford Brown, John Coltrane, Bill Evans - but more often than not we'd find ourselves listening to Oscar Peterson.
It was obvious that Thompson had a warm spot in his heart for Peterson's music. When I asked him about it, he told me that Peterson simply played the most beautiful melodies imaginable. He likened Peterson to Art Tatum in his all-encompassing musical prowess, and said he thought Peterson was incapable of playing the wrong notes.
Born in Montreal in 1925, Peterson was touring North America by his early 20's, and shared the stage with such legends as Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grapelli, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dizzy Gillespie. Among the slew of honours he earned in his lifetime were eight Grammy Awards and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for lifetime achievement. He was also a Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest award our country has to offer.
Sadly, Oscar Peterson passed away today at his Mississauga home at the age of 82 from kidney failure, but he leaves behind a beautiful musical legacy that few could ever hope to match. He will be missed.
Photo from www.oscarpeterson.com
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I'm getting used to people I love, dying, but I'm full of regret that I didn't get to speak to him.
I thought he was wonderful, really beautiful.
I thank anyone who knew Oscar, for his beautiful gift to me, and to the world.
AGAIN the world just got a little darker. But I thought he was really brilliant. Craig.
For those of who were fortunate enough to see Oscar live, his presence, during a performance, was one which was greater than life, yet his music was that which touched the inner soul, through its' beauty and delicateness. It was very clear that he was a musician who loved the audience and always played to his utmost, regardless of circumstance.
He has left us a legacy of recordings to always be remembered.
RIP Oscar
It goes like this.
Back in (around) 1976 I think it was, as a young lad of 17 years old, I managed to sneak backstage via the beach, while he was still playing at the Pinede in Juan Les Pins. Jazz a Juan. Ever been there? I'm English but spend all my holidays there are a child and hence knew most of the private beach owners and their kids. Which is how I got past the security.
He began the set, a 20 minute medley, and for some inexplicable reason it didn't get off to a great start. So he stopped, reset himself and started again. That caused quite a commotion in the crowd as I remember.
So I sat down to listen backstage there without being able to see him playing, but the atmosphere was electric. About 20 minutes later he brought the medley to a dramatic end and left the stage with the crowd cheering 'encore encore'. They didn't get their encore as I remember, because he went immediately to a white wood and wrought-iron bench seat and proceeded to mop himself down with a large hanky. There was immediately a collection of photographers around him which I joined and managed to get a couple of snapshots in.
Then somehow I managed to push my way to the front, not too difficult as there weren't that many backstage, and sticking out a piece of paper and pen asked for his autograph. 'Take a seat' he said. So I did. He asked my name as he signed the piece of paper. Then he started chatting with me and asked if I also played piano. 'Yes I do' I replied. 'What do you like to play' he asked. "I like to play Ragtime' I replied truthfully, having got the Ragtime bug when hearing a Canadian friend of my father's sit down and play the MapleLeaf Rag at our home about a year before. "Do you keep time when you play it?' he asked, which I said I did. 'Well you know' he said, 'I'm jealous of you for that'. 'How come?' I asked. 'Well' he said, 'I can't play Ragtime straight, because I gotta swing'. At whcih point he let out a big laugh and lit up the place.
This self-deprecating joke got a big laugh out of the small crowd surrounding us and has enabled me to evermore claim, truthfully, that Oscar Peterson envies my piano playing ability!
WOW! And to be frank, I had no idea just how much of a legend he already was - I'd been right royally spoiled that week with managing to catch Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and many more. Having thanked him again and shaken his (massive) hand.... I wandered off with a Big Buzz... only to manage to collect Joe Pass's autograph on the flipside of that scrap of paper. Dizzy Gillespie wouldn't oblige when I approached him warming up some minutes later.
About 3 months later I saw him at Ronnie Scotts and joined the crowd asking for his autograph after his performance. Come my turn I said that I was pleased to meet him again but wouldn't need his autograph as I already had it. And he remembered me!
I still play ragtime after all these years, and thanks to his CDROM and sheet music transcriptions managed to learn Kelly's Blues - which coincidentally I sat down to play in a piano shop last Saturday - as I've just moved and don't have a keyboard at home at the moment....
Anyhow - there you are. My sentimental Oscar Peterson memory. Not bad for a 17 year old!
If you liked this story I'll bore you with the tale of my meeting that other black legend in 1992. Also a man with big hands. Also the Greatest in his chosen field.
RIP Oscar. I'll miss you - while I continue to listen to your music all the time.
Oscar touched so many people it seems.