News and thoughts by Pianist Dan Cray
and the Dan Cray Trio.
. . .
12.24.2007
RIP Oscar Peterson
One of my all time favorite pianists passed away today. I listened to Oscar almost non stop in high school, and I think his records had a lot to do with my initial attraction to Jazz music. I still haven't heard anyone swing harder. . .what a force!
I only got to hear him live once, and it was after his stroke, but it was still a memorable night. I remember waiting around after the concert in hopes of meeting him, but had to settle for sending back the liner notes to a box set in hopes of a signature. He was nice enough to oblige, even personalizing a message to me, which was quite a memento for a kid. I'm jealous of those of you who got to hear him at the London House in an intimate setting--that must have been amazing!
If you've never really checked out Oscar, look for the box set "Exclusively For My Friends," a series of recordings he did for the MPS label. They were recorded at a studio in the Black Forest of Germany, and include many live takes for a small group of friends as well as his first solo album. The rhythm section features either Ray Brown or Sam Jones on bass, and Ed Thigpen, Bobby Durham and Louis Hayes on drums. All in all, it's some of the best and most swinging jazz trio music I've heard. Put on the track In a Mellotone (Check it out here on Rhapsody) and I think you'll agree.
