Blues for Oscar

Oscar Peterson died today at his home in Mississauga, Ontario. He was 82.

He was one of the finest jazz pianists of the 20th Century. From roughly 1950 onward, Oscar Peterson soared, even through his last years on earth.

According to today's The Canadian Press, Peterson played alongside the giants of jazz: Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Charlie Parker, Roy Eldridge, Nat King Cole, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington, who once called Peterson the "Maharajah of the keyboard."

"Until the end, Oscar Peterson could tour the world and fill concert halls everywhere," said Andre Menard, artistic director and co-founder of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

"This is something that never diminished. His drawing power, his mystique as a musician, was so big that he remained at the top of his game until the end.... Oscar Peterson has been the musician every musician in the world can look up to and aspire to."

Word of Peterson's death at his home in Mississauga, Ontario set off a torrent of international tributes, including a statement from French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who said "one of the bright lights of jazz has gone out."

"He was a regular on the French stage, where the public adored his luminous style," Sarkozy added. "It is a great loss for us."

Heritage Minister Josee Verner called Peterson a great Canadian and a beloved citizen of the world.

"His musical legacy will live on, as will his generous spirit in the hearts of those who knew and loved him," she said in a statement.

On the occasion of his 80th birthday in 2005, Canada issued a commemorative postage stamp (pictured above) honoring him. Peterson was the first living person other than members of the Royal Family to be so honored.

I learned about Peterson's death this afternoon when I visited GretaWire, Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren's blog. It turns out that Greta is an Oscar Peterson fan, too. I know she is smart. I know she is beautiful. And now I know she is hip, too!

Peterson is one of many jazz artists I heard in Chicago when I was still a teenager in the 1950s. My girlfriend and I used to go to Frank Holzfiend's Blue Note, next to the Clark Theater and up the stairs. Holzfiend had a Peanut Gallery for underage customers, even serving them non-alcoholic cocktails. From that Peanut Gallery, I saw Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, George Shearing, Erroll Garner -- and Oscar Peterson.

Over the years, I heard Peterson at the Sutherland Lounge on the South Side, the London House by Michigan and Wacker in downtown Chicago, Mister Kelly's on Rush Street on the Near North Side, and at Ravinia Park in Highland Park.

Here are a dozen recordings demonstrating Oscar Peterson's incredible talent -- and the talents of those with whom he chose to play:


1. Dale's Wail (04/53) -- Roy Eldridge (trumpet) with the Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (organ), Barney Kessel (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

2. Oscar's Blues (03/50) -- Oscar Peterson Duo: Peterson (piano), Ray Brown (string bass).

3. Tenderly (02/51) -- Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Barney Kessel (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

4. Easy Does It (10/02/55) -- Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

5. The Golden Striker (11/57) -- Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

6. The Maids of Cadiz (08/59) -- Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Ray Brown (string bass), Ed Thigpen (drums).

7. Mumbles (08/17/64) -- Clark Terry (trumpet and vocal) with the Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Ray Brown (string bass), Ed Thigpen (drums).

8. Bye Bye Blackbird (11/06/59) -- Ben Webster (tenor) with the Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Ray Brown (string bass), Ed Thigpen (drums).

9. Little Girl (10/28/65) -- Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano and vocal), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

10. Mack the Knife (10/28/65) -- Oscar Peterson Trio with Clark Terry (trumpet): Peterson (piano and vocal), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

11. Body and Soul (04/68) -- Oscar Peterson Trio: Peterson (piano), Herb Ellis (guitar), Ray Brown (string bass).

12. Satisfaction (07/71) -- Oscar Peterson-Milt Jackson Quartet: Peterson (piano), Jackson (vibraharp), Ray Brown (string bass), Louis Hayes (drums).

George Spink
Los Angeles, California
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