When someone pays tribute to a musical artist it is for good reason. On November 19, 2021, Christian McBride, Benny Green, Russell Malone, and Jeff Hamilton performed a tribute to Oscar Peterson in Salt Lake City, UT. It is a great honor to be given a tribute concert by top musical artist, and Oscar Peterson is worthy of such praise and honor.
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was born on August 15, 1925, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Born to a family of five, Oscar was the fourth of five children. Oscar Peterson`s father was an amateur organist who led the family band in church and community hall performances in Montreal. David Paterson (Oscar Peterson`s father) insisted that all Peterson children learn to play two instruments; piano and a brass instrument. At age five Oscar Peterson began playing trumpet and piano. Oscar continued studying piano during his youth and teen years, and attended the Conservatoire de musique du Quebec a Montreal.
Oscar Peterson`s influences on piano were Nat King Cole, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum. Oscar Peterson was also classmate of trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, and played together in a dance band led by Percy Ferguson (Maynard`s brother). In the early 1940s, Oscar Peterson was a celebrity in the Montreal music scene. At age 17, Oscar Peterson is known for his speed and dexterity, as well as his meticulous technique. Stylistically, Oscar is known for his ability to swing. He has appeared on over 200 recordings of other artist, including Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and others. Louis Armstrong referred to Oscar Peterson as "the man with four hands".
In 1945, Oscar Peterson made his first recording for RCA Victor, which included "I Got Rhythm" and "The Sheik of Araby". Peterson recorded sixteen 78s between 1945 - 1949. 1949 would be an important year for Oscar Peterson.
Music manager and producer Norman Granz was on his way to the airport in Montreal when he heard Oscar Peterson playing on the radio. Granz immediately instructed his cab driver to take him to the radio station where Oscar Peterson was performing. Norman Granz became Oscar Peterson`s manager, and was able to arrange a Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) performance at Carnegie Hall on September 18, 1949, in New York City. However, Norman Granz was not able to secure a work visa for Oscar Peterson in time for the performance. Norman placed Peterson in the audience and brought him on stage as a surprise guest. This idea was brilliant! Downbeat magazine was quoted saying Oscar Peterson`s performance "stopped the concert dead cold in its tracks". This performance was the beginning of his international career.
Oscar Peterson enjoyed a musical career that last decades, filled with great recordings, performances, accolades, and numerous awards and honors. On December 23, 2007, Oscar Peterson died of kidney failure at his home in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
