Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 12:02:58 PM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Oscar Peterson Dies at 82

Posted Dec 24, 07 2:10 PM CST in Arts & Living 

(Newser) – Legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson died last night at his home near Toronto from kidney failure, CBC News reports. He was 82. The Canadian musician made hundreds of recordings, won seven Grammys, and played alongside greats like Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Ella Fitzgerald. "The world has lost the world's greatest jazz player," said Peterson's hometown mayor.

Born in Montreal, Peterson first kindled a keyboard at age 5 and grew into a virtuoso known for his quickness and dexterity. He later formed a fabled trio with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis, reveling in nightclub gigs where "you had to be on your toes." A stroke disabled his left hand in 1993, but Peterson continued to play and record music. "There is always the chance for moments of great beauty to emerge," he once said of jazzmaking.

Source CBC (Canada)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Jazzman Giuffre Dead at 86

    Apr 26, 08 6:26 AM CDT
    Jazzman Giuffre Dead at 86 The iconoclastic clarinetist and composer Jimmy Giuffre died Thursday, two days before what would have been his 87th birthday, the New York Times reports. The Texas-born jazz legend's 50-year career took him from big-band hits with Woody Herman to minimalist trios, with a stint playing in mess halls as a GI in WWII. Giuffre's experimental, blues-infused styling made him a leading figure in the '50s "cool jazz" scene. More »

Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson wipes his eyes while being honored by Canada Post on his 80th birthday with a Canadian stamp at HMV record store, Monday, August 15, 2005 in Toronto. Peterson, whose...   (Associated Press)
Oscar Peterson poses in this undated 1994 photo provided by the Canadian Broadcast Corp. Peterson, whose early talent and speedy fingers made him one of the world's best known jazz pianists, died Sunday...   (Associated Press)
Oscar Peterson poses in this undated 1958 photo provided by the Canadian Broadcast Corp. Peterson, whose early talent and speedy fingers made him one of the world's best known jazz pianists, died Sunday...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 4)

Tags

music • obituary • Canada • musician • jazz • Toronto • Montreal • Charlie Parker • Louis Armstrong • piano


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »