Oscar Peterson | Artist

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, CC CQ OOnt was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer born 1925 in Montreal. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, and was one of the world's greatest jazz pianists. He released over 200 recordings, won eight Grammy Awards, and received numerous other awards and honours. Born to immigrants from the West Indies, his father worked as a porter for Canadian Pacific Railway. At the age of five, Peterson began honing his skills on trumpet and piano. His father, Daniel Peterson, an amateur trumpeter and pianist, was one of his first music teachers, and his sister Daisy taught him classical piano. At the age of nine Peterson played piano with a degree of control that impressed professional musicians, and at fourteen years of age he won the Canadian Broadcasting Company's national music competition. After that victory, he dropped out of High School and became a professional pianist, starring in a weekly radio show and playing at hotels and music halls. In a cab on the way to the airport, the head of Verve records, Norman Granz, heard a radio program broadcasting Peterson from a local club and was so impressed that he told the driver to take him to the club so he could meet the pianist. In 1949 he introduced Peterson in New York City at a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert at Carnegie Hall. Grantz remained Peterson's manager for most of his career. Over his 60 year working career, Peterson release more than 160 studio albums. working with his Trio, as well as collaborations with star players such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz, Ben Webster and Lester Young. Standout albums include Plays The Cole Porter Song Book, Night Train, We Get Requests and Tristeza on Piano.

Artist Website: oscarpeterson.com

Featured Albums: Oscar Peterson

Related Artists: Oscar Peterson Trio, Louis Armstrong, Stan Getz, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Art Tatum