Dec 29 2007
Friday jazz - Oscar Peterson
(yes, I know it’s Saturday).
Oscar Peterson, one of the most talented pianists the jazz world has ever known, died this past Sunday (23 Dec.). It was Peterson who really got me interested in jazz. His artistry and virtuosity (which sometimes threatened to overhelm his artistry) just astonished me when I first heard him. Listening to him led me to seek out other jazz musicians, and I have been a jazz fan ever since.
This clip is of Oscar playing You Look Good to Me at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival. The trio is rather unusual, with two stringed basses backing him up.
Oscar was great. I remember when I worked in Montreal, long, long before VL, I worked in the same building as Biddle’s. Charlie had the best ribs going in Montreal. Often when we worked late we’d phone down for ribs and Charlie would bring them up. One time It was really late and he called up, he knew we were there working and said come down knock on the door at the back. So we did. He let us in and there jamming was Oliver Jones and Oscar. Charlie joined in. Awesome. The three of them going like gang busters. Thats my memory of Oscar. Charlie was one hell of a guy who did so much for the Montreal jazz scene.