Piano great Oscar Peterson has died, aged 82 at his home in Mississauga, Ontario.
A Message from Kelly & Celine Peterson:
We would like to thank everyone who has sent their condolences, and the hundreds of you who sent e-mail messages. We appreciate it very much. There will be a public memorial service in the near future, and we will provide all the details right here once everything has been decided. For anyone who would like to make donations, we ask you to please make them to World Vision or Christian Children’s Fund in honour of Oscar Peterson. Thank you once again for all your love and support. May God Bless his Soul!”
Canada’s Governor General, Michaelle Jean, said he was a “national treasure”. Fellow pianist, Diana Krall, said he was “my person I looked up to”.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he had been a “bright light of jazz”.
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.
Guitarist/composer Pat Metheny and his trumpet playing brother, Mike, have started a music foundation in Pat’s name, in their home town of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
In June 2007 the newly formed Metheny Music Foundation of Lee’s Summit, Missouri hometown of guitarist Pat Metheny and his brother, trumpeter Mike Metheny enabled two area high school students to attend the annual University of Missouri/Kansas City Jazz Improv Camp.
“Awarding these scholarships is an important first step,†said Pat, a world renowned recording artist, bandleader and 17-time Grammy winner. About the Foundation itself, Pat added, “This is an exciting endeavor with many promising possibilities.â€
Wow it’s cold out there! But don’t let it stop you getting out to the clubs.
Tonight at the Rex it’s Jeff Coffin in from New York with Michael Occhipinti for the first of a two night stay at 9:30 pm. Friday things get going early with the Hogtown Syncopators followed at 6:30 by Laura Hubert.
Pianist Elizabeth Sheperd is in at the Opal Jazz Lounge with Scott Kemp on bass until Saturday.
The Pilot has the Mike Murley Quartet in Saturday afternoon from 3:30 – 6:30 pm, and then it’s the Kevin Turcotte Quartet in Sunday.
Sunday you can catch the Brandi DisterheftQuartet at Chalkers Pub from 7:00-10:00 pm, or head over to The Cobourg for catch John Alcorn.
