Today marks the centennial of the birth of Canadian jazz virtuoso pianist and composer Oscar Peterson (1925-2007).
Herbie Hancock commented,
Oscar Peterson redefined swing for modern jazz pianists for the latter half of the 20th century up until today. I consider him the major influence that formed my roots in jazz piano playing. He mastered (brilliantly) the balance between technique, hard blues grooving… and tenderness.
C Jam Blues
On this recording, Peterson performs Duke Ellington’s C Jam Blues with Ray Brown (bass) and Ed Thigpen (drums), live in Denmark in 1964:
Fine and Dandy
This performance was recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1949:
