Oscar Peterson dead at 82
sduford on Dec 30 2007 at 10:37 pm | Filed under: Music
I just found out that while I was down in Panama, one of the last Jazz legends passed away.
Oscar Peterson was one of the greatest Jazz pianists ever and most certainly the greatest Canadian Jazz musician that ever lived. He was one of the last great legends from the heydays of Jazz in the 50s and 60s. He had a huge influence on the Jazz scene and inspired dozens of Jazz pianists.
He will be sorely missed but thankfully his music is immortal.
I have been a fan of Peterson’s for some time, even posted a note about his passing on a couple of the Yahoo groups to which I belong. A huge talent, who performed at a high level even to the end. I was hoping to see him at one of his annual trip to Jazz Alley in Seattle, but once again, waited too long. Here’s a Youtube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKKpoCy0a5Y
I`ve never seen him live myself and I live in Canada!
Do you live in Seattle? I go there several times a year and always try to get a night at The Jazz Alley when I do.
I first discovered jazz musicians like OP while commuting from my home on Camano Island to Bellevue WA (62 miles). I started listening to Abe Beeson’s show on NPR affiliate KPLU – Streaming link:
http://www.kplu.org/on-air.html
I was amazed to discover that I actually enjoyed a lot of what was played, and was particularly taken with an old jazz ballad that I heard early on – “Tenderly” by Ben Webster. Recorded on December 8, 1953, it features Oscar Peterson on piano, along with the rest of his group – Herb Ellis (g), Ray Brown (b), Alvin Stoller (d). Here is the link for the non-profit BW Foundation, where the song is playable:
http://www.benwebster.dk/index.php
Yeah I lived in Seattle for 4 years and KPLU was by far my favourite station.
Ben Webster has an amazingly warm saxophone tone, one of my favourite sax players for sure. My favourite album of his is “Ben Webster with Strings, Music for Loving“.
Thanks for reminding me about that album - its one I’ve been meaning to order for some time.
While we’re on this subject (and before I forget) I have a couple of favorite Youtube videos that feature Webster.
The first, featuring him & piano great Teddy Wilson, was recorded in 1970 in Copenhagen, shortly after learning of the passing of former bandmate, Johnny Hodges. Its amazing what a tender & emotional guy he was considering his nickname “The Brute”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQVVLAO-9LU
The second is an all-star jazz performance featuring Billie Holiday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tNSp7MaADM&mode=related&search=