# Oscar Peterson died Sunday, according to CBC # Jazz pianist was considered one of the greats # Montreal-born musician known for virtuoso talent, humming as he played ~~~~~~~~ Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC, CQ, O.Ont. (15 August 1925 – 23 December 2007[1]) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer.
Oscar Peterson was considered by some critics to be one of the greatest piano players of all time.[2] His virtuosity and command of the piano routinely stunned audiences worldwide for more than fifty years. - Wikipedia
Oh, that is so sad. I do know that here in Canada, people were very proud to call him one of their own.
In an era when many talented Canadians forsook their native country for larger markets and a higher profile in the U.S., jazz pianist Oscar Peterson managed a rare feat by transcending his birthplace, yet never completely leaving it behind.
The above is from Global Canada, which has a really moving obituary of this great man.
The world of music has suffered a significant loss, & Jazz has had one of its greatest ever pianists taken. A sad moment indeed.
PS Radio 4 (the main radio station in the UK) began its announcement about 50 minutes ago with: "Within the last hour we have heard of the death of Oscar Peterson" etc. Either we get our news incredibly late, or there has been some kind of mix up here...
Posts: 3454 | Location: Marple Cheshire UK | Registered: 06-04-02
When I started this thread, the CNN mini-headline stated that it was 11 minutes old. Since it was a very short article, I am assuming that CNN had just gotten the news. I see now that the article has been updated and is much longer, seeming to validate my assumption.
Posts: 17205 | Location: Lincoln Place, Granite City, IL, USA | Registered: 06-03-02
Very sad. He had the rare ability to sound like at least four hands playing at twice-normal speed, yet always with that ineffable, sublime sense of timing that we call jazz. He was in a league of his own.
Posts: 1991 | Location: U.S. | Registered: 06-03-02
My Dad was working night shift in "CKVL" AM radio station in Montreal ( Verdun), back in early 50's. He was a maintenance electronic technician.
In those days entertainers were giving "live" performances at any time of the day or night on the radio. Oscar Peterson had sometimes been performing live in the middle of the night. My Dad told me that he was leaning on the piano while Oscar was playing,(live) watching him from that close as if it was just the guy next door. He was amazed though by it's playing. He would find out later on, what this man had became.
Sad news hearing of his death. Well my Dad is now 75 and remembers those moments very well. I personnaly always admired the man and his music , but never met him.
Posts: 6219 | Location: u.s.a, south Florida | Registered: 06-03-02
