The Great Oscar Peterson is dead

[malaise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7159591.stm
<snip>
Jazz pianist and composer Oscar Peterson has died of kidney failure at his home in Toronto, at the age of 82.

Peterson was one of jazz's most recorded musicians, and was famous for his fast-playing virtuoso style.

He made more than 200 albums and won eight Grammy awards, including a lifetime achievement honour in 1997.

He released his first single at the age of 19 and performed with greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Nat "King" Cole.

We'll miss those Soft Winds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6labh5Cjtw

[parasim]

1. RIP Oscar!

Yeas, I was saddened by that news today... Time to dig out some old OP vinyl and have listen...

[BeyondGeography]

2. A great one

Just had his Xmas CD on last night while we were putting the tree up...Another way of saying the music lives on.

RIP, Oscar.

[malaise]

8. That's great timing

When Dizzy died in 1993, I was playing one of my favorites pieces on the way to work. I love jazz but hubby and my late dad have/had awesome collections.

[BeyondGeography]

12. Hearing his music is like your first sip of whiskey on a cold winter evening

Someone said that about Bill Evans once...same for Oscar.

[suffragette]

3. Goodbye Oscar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ebo12xg4ws

I saw him a few years ago at JazzAlley. Absolutely mesmerizing - one of the rare moments when you realize you are in the presence of genius.

[pscot]

4. He was pretty much the last of the old guard

He wasn't a great innovator, but he was witty and accessible and a master of his instrument and his repertoire. Truly a great player. RIP Oscar.

[jaysunb]

5. RIP

One of the all time greats....I'm grateful to have his spirit, energy and good sounds still alive.

[MuseRider]

6. Oh no. Not another.

RIP Mr. Peterson, you played some mighty fine licks over the years. Thank you. Peace to you and your family.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

7. Another great one is gone

Just listening to his playing could get me high, without any extra help. I feel like I did when Joe Pass died. Hard to believe all of that brilliant technique and creative genius is just gone.

[malaise]

9. LOL

back in the days we'd both be high and I would single out special keys and giggle with delight. :D

[TahitiNut]

10. Oh my! We've lost one of the absolute GREATS of Jazz.

I can't count how many times his music has enriched my life. :cry: (Diana Krall and I will mourn him.)

Heaven is better, now ... because wherever he's playing, it's heaven.

I'll have to dig out his Night Train album and listen until my ears fill with wax.



Sheer magic!!

[karlrschneider]

11. I'm ashamed to admit I thought he had already gone...after Errol died, I quit paying attention.

There aren't any like them around these days that I know of.

[malaise]

13. CBC photo tribute to the great Oscar

http://www.cbc.ca/photogallery/arts/476/