Jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson dead at 82
Reuters, Dec 24, 2007 12:00 pm PSTOscar Peterson, who sat atop the world
of jazz piano for decades with his driving two-handed swing,
technical wizardry and rapid-fire solos, died on Sunday of
kidney failure, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp reported. He was
82.
One of jazz's most recorded musicians, both as leader and accompanist, Peterson came from working class beginnings in Montreal -- where his father let him pursue music only if he promised to be "the best" -- to become a major influence on generations of top-flight musicians.
Since blasting onto the world stage with a famous appearance at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1949, the beefy high school dropout amassed armfuls of honorary degrees and awards, including a 1997 Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award.
Canada made him a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor, as well as the first living Canadian to be depicted on a stamp.
(Reporting by Jeffrey Jones)
More Artist News
Concert honors jazz legend Peterson
Jan 13, 2008 3:00 am PST
Pianist Herbie Hancock and singer Nancy Wilson were among the stars taking the stage at a tribute concert celebrating the life of jazz legend Oscar Peterson whose piano wizardry inspired and influenced many. "I don't call many people geni...
Stars say goodbye to jazz legend Oscar Peterson
Jan 12, 2008 9:00 pm PST
Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones and Nancy Wilson were among a star-studded group of performers who gathered on Saturday for a musical farewell to jazz piano great Oscar Peterson. "He's on his second journey. The first is birth and the se...
Peterson mourned by fellow jazz pianists
Dec 26, 2007 4:00 am PST
Oscar Peterson's dazzling keyboard technique, commanding sense of swing and mastery of different piano styles could leave even his most accomplished peers awe-struck. His death brought forth tributes from jazz pianists spanning the generat...
Jazz great Oscar Peterson dies at 82
Dec 24, 2007 6:00 pm PST
Oscar Peterson, whose early talent, speedy fingers and musical genius made him one of the world's best known jazz pianists, has died. He was 82. Peterson died at his home in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga on Sunday, said Oliver Jones, ...
