Oscar Peterson - No More

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.
Born in a limestone house on Montreal's Delisle Street on August 15, 1925, he was the fourth of five children to his parents, Daniel and Kathleen. During an illustrious career spanning seven decades, Peterson played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. He became a teen sensation in his native Canada, playing in dance bands and recording in the late 1930s and early 1940s. But he got his real break as a surprise guest at Carnegie Hall in 1949, after which he began touring the United States and Europe. He is also remembered for touring in a trio with Ray Brown on bass and Herb Ellis on guitar in the 1950s.
He quickly made a name for himself as a jazz virtuoso, often compared to piano great Art Tatum, his childhood idol, for his speed and technical skill.

Wanting to express the genuine love and pride he felt for his native country, Oscar Peterson with Phil Nimmons composed and recorded the Canadiana Suite in 1964. Nominated for a Grammy Award as best jazz composition in 1965, it remains one of Oscar Peterson's best-known compositions and contains his personal favourite, Wheatland.
The American jazz pianist Billy Taylor called Peterson one of the finest jazz pianists of his time. "He set the pace for just about everybody that followed him."
In 2001 he was awarded the Skynet Internet Person of the Year Award.