My entire life, I have been fortunate enough to befriend a number of special people. Thanks to Mervon Mehta and the Royal Conservatory, two of those very special people will be playing together at the “Aspects of Oscar” concert series on January 29th. They have not performed together before, but will come together to pay tribute to someone who touched their lives in unique ways.

I have known both Benny Green and Ulf Wakenius for almost my entire life. The memories that I have because of being able to spend so much time with them, are some of the best of my life. Some people would say that is not a fair statement considering that I am only 19 years old, but you have to understand that the memories I have as a child are what gave me the building blocks to my entire life. These people taught me to be the girl that I am today. In any family, the parents are not usually the only people in the child’s life. Aside from other immediate family members, it is the friends around you that give you support, love, and always have your back. These are the people that you invite in your life and vice versa.

Over the 14 years that I have known Ulf, we have all been a family. We have seen each other’s highs and lows, and made each other laugh on a daily basis. When you are on the road with someone for weeks at a time, it is inevitable that you will grow close to each other. However, it was not set in stone that the people we travelled with had to tolerate a young child. As a baby, the people my Dad travelled with had to have me around and deal with me scream, cry, drool and be fidgety and restless. Of course I smiled, laughed, and was a very happy baby most of the time (or so I hear), which I would hope would be easier to deal with.
As I got older, I started talking and wanting attention. Whether I wanted to have a conversation about only things I could understand, or wanted someone to play dolls with, the guys on the road always showed me love and humoured my requests. Ulf in particular. The countless good times that we had never fail to make me smile. Whether we are taking over the car of a train, or a section of an airplane, there was always joy on the road. My Uncle Niels (NHØP) and Ulf had known each other and worked together for years before Ulf was brought into the group. When Dad said he was going to get a new guitar player, Uncle Niels told Dad about Ulf and because of the tight bond that they had, Dad didn’t even think twice, and Ulf was brought in at the beginning of the European tour. What could have been an uncomfortable and awkward time for everyone, was very easy and we all immediately got along as if we had been friends for years.

There are not enough kind words in the dictionary to describe Benny Green. Benny is brilliant. Of course he is a brilliant piano player, but when I say he is brilliant, I am talking about him as a person. When I was little, I didn’t understand the extent of my situation. I didn’t understand why all these other people seemed to love my Dad. I didn’t understand the talent that he, and the people around him possessed. So when I met Benny, he wasn’t Benny Green, a fantastic young piano player from New York. He was Benny, my friend with one of the best personalities that I have ever seen. He always has love in his eyes, and one of the biggest hearts. He used to come visit and spend time at the house with us, and those are some of the best times for me. I remember when I was younger, I got a kitten for Christmas. At the time, I did not realize how scared I would be of the poor little thing. It liked to hide behind furniture, and pounce, and it also liked to scratch. Neither of things I took too kindly to. So I was constantly scared. Benny came to spend this Christmas with us and one night when we were all sitting on the couch visiting, I was talking about how much I wanted to hold the kitten, but I was scared. I had a quilt that my Mom made me, that I carried around all the time. Benny got  Cuddles (yes, I named my kitten Cuddles) to come sit on his lap, reached for the quilt, and wrapped it around him. Then, with the quilt around Cuddles, Benny put him in my lap, and we sat happily together for one of the first times since I’d had him.

Benny has a very gentle and calm temperament, which is something that you may not know when you see him give his all on stage. His energy is vibrant, and so full. He believes what he is playing and he loves what he does. Ulf has the same attitude towards his playing. He gives his all to a performance, and you can tell he belongs on stage. The fact that the two of them are coming together, especially for this performance, is unbelievable. It is going to truly be a night to remember, and I am honoured to be able to witness this evening.

-Céline Peterson
January, 2011

P.S. Take a look at the photo album for some special pictures of Benny and Ulf.

    Christmas was Oscar's favorite time of year. He looked forward to the holiday and its traditions each and every year with all the excitement and awe of a child.

    It would start at the beginning of Advent. The sparkle in Oscar's eyes gleamed brighter. There was an 'I've got a secret' smile only half-hidden on his face. The Christmas tree would be put in place and the decorating started. Oscar carefully wrapped the tree in lights, filling all the branches, beginning at the bottom and working up. "The secret to a beautiful Christmas tree," he said, "is to have enough lights." Next came the balls of different colors and sizes. Each one placed carefully, artistically. "There's a red one there, now it needs a gold. Let's put a blue one over there." Nat King Cole's Christmas album played as we sipped eggnog. The lights sparkled and the balls gleamed with that light. Soon it was time for the tinsel. Garlands of many colors - blue, purple, green, gold, silver, red - draped carefully, loops not too long but long enough, to give the finishing touch. White fiberfill was piled all around the tree, out into the living room, creating a bed of snow. More tinsel garlands were draped along the fireplace mantel. When Céline was five she wrapped the colorful garlands around the railings on the staircase, a tradition she created and continued annually.

    "Hey Kel, please bring me some wrapping paper, tape and ribbon," I'd hear as Oscar bustled into the house, parcels rustling. "Yeah, Kel," piped little Céline's voice, "but don't peek!"

    We discovered the One of a Kind Show in Toronto the year Céline was born. It became our 'one stop Christmas shop.' Oscar's scooter was loaded into a van so that he wouldn't have to walk the long distances and we spent the entire day walking (and riding) up and down the aisles, gazing with admiration at the creations of the many artists, figuring out which particular pieces would make special gifts for each of our family and friends. There were a few artists whose booths we were guaranteed to visit each year: Toan Klein, who with his wife became dear friends; the porcelain "Carol B" dolls selected for Céline; wonderful and unusual ceramics, and the dried-flower wreaths created by Danuta McAdam are only some of the unique items we searched for. It was hard sometimes to keep up as Oscar joyfully toured the aisles of the show, gathering decorative pieces for home as well as gifts to give that year.

    The scooter looked like Santa's sleigh by the time early evening arrived and we made our way home. The final purchase was the first to greet Céline as we came through the door: a giant stuffed animal puppet! The door opened and the puppet peeked in saying, "Hi Céline! Daddy missed you!" in whatever type of voice was appropriate for the animal, bear or dog or mouse. Squeals of delight and giant hugs were Oscar's reward.

    On the last Sunday of Advent we went to the early evening candlelight service of Christmas Carols and Lessons at church. We always took the long way home --- the Singers Unlimited Christmas album played through the car stereo as we meandered slowly, admiring the Christmas lights before going home to hot cocoa and Panettone with peanut butter.

    The smells of Christmas cooking and baking filled the house during the next few days. The red beans, the turkey stuffing, the mincemeat pie and hard sauce and the Christmas cookies -- all to the familiar and comforting soundtrack of the Singers Unlimited and Nat King Cole Christmas albums, with Oscar singing along. Then the Christmas Eve candlelight service......

    And on Christmas morning, who was the first of our trio to waken? The young girl bursting with excitement about Santa? The wife and mother ready to put the turkey in the oven? Guess again - it was Oscar, filled with childlike joy and anticipation. "Merry Christmas! Who's ready for Christmas?" came the jovial exclamation.

    With eggnog and coffee and cocoa, we gathered to see what Santa put in our stockings. (Hint: there was always a jar of peanut butter for Oscar, and one for the dogs too!). The turkey, seasoned and draped in bacon, went into the oven and the fresh cinnamon buns came out. Then leisurely we opened gifts and made phone calls to other family members and friends. The aroma of the turkey and bacon filled the house. The bacon's purpose was to season the turkey and keep it moist, but it was also a periodic treat when it was cooked enough and needed to be replaced. As the Christmas dinner cooked, we shared the quiet time, enjoying a fire and each other.

    Céline's porcelain doll and giant puppet each had a place at the table with us. We always gave thanks for the birth of Jesus and for the many blessings we had. For Oscar, the celebration of Christmas was not complete until he had his mincemeat pie for dessert.

    But actually, the biggest tradition of all was the quiet joy of cherished family moments together, peacefully. Those memories stay with us always.

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Those who have read A Jazz Odyssey, Oscar Peterson's autobiography, will know how much he enjoyed fine food. He wrote about some of his favorite restaurants around the world and the wonderful meals he enjoyed. You will also, no doubt, be aware of the great influence of Norman “The Gourmand” Granz.

What you might not know is that Oscar was himself a marvelous cook. His natural curiosity and enthusiasm for wonderful meals, not to mention his obvious gift for improvisation in all forms, led to many creative exploits in the kitchen at home.

Staples of Oscar's culinary store were the “comfort foods” he learned to prepare under the tutelage of his mother. These included red beans and rice, the best gravy you will ever taste and the dressing for the Christmas turkey. These were all parts of our traditional Christmas dinner. The only food preparation tasks I had for this meal were to make the cranberry-orange relish, green vegetables, mincemeat pie (with hard sauce) and apple pie. Oscar did the rest, with me as his sous chef. It was always a joyous time, preparing this meal together. Once Céline was old enough to help she joined in the preparations. Her job was to help stir the ingredients together, and to get whatever Daddy needed to add to the pot. With Nat King Cole's Christmas and the Singers' Unlimited Christmas albums playing, we chatted and cooked and sang along, sharing this special time together.

Oscar also taught me to prepare certain items and encouraged me to take over some of the cooking tasks. The gravy lesson was of the utmost importance. There was no “just mix some flour into the pan juices” gravy in our house. The flour needed to be browned slowly, with seasonings first, until it was a deep, rich brown. The fat was then added carefully to avoid lumps. Then water for the right consistency, seasoning adjusted before the final touch of cream. One of the secret ingredients (shhhhh….): chocolate chips. Just a few, just to add some sweetness. Then a few drops of hot sauce. Wow. It was wonderful. I must admit that there were several failed attempts before I finally achieved success. My heart would race as I carried the “tasting spoon” to the master for his opinion. The first time he said, “you got it this time!” I was over the moon with joy.

There were also times when Oscar would savor his meal at a restaurant so carefully, deciphering the ingredients that had been blended together, with the thought of recreating the dish at home. He also talked with restaurateurs and chefs about their creations, learning more each time. He was thrilled with meeting Paul Bocuse in Lyon and going into the master's kitchen. Bocuse carried young Céline into the kitchen himself, propping her up on one of the counters near the stoves!

As Christmas, 2007 approached we talked about the preparations for our Christmas meal. We usually prepared the red beans a few days ahead of time so that the flavors would blend and preparations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day would be minimal. Oscar told me that he wanted me to make the red beans this year. “You're ready, now,” he said. “I can turn this over to you.” His confidence in me moved me greatly, although I did not know the irony of the timing until early morning on December 23.

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Readers may be curious about the gravy recipe, but it is not one that can be written and shared; the gravy is made by taste, not measurements. However, the following is one of Oscar's own recipes for a sauce for crab, shrimp or other seafood or fish.

OSCAR'S CRAB SAUCE

Start saucepan with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Add 1 - 2 teaspoons each of basil and dill to the warm oil. Continue stirring as you add _ teaspoon of onion salt, _ teaspoon garlic powder and some freshly ground pepper.

Stir continuously on medium heat as seasonings blend together.

Reduce heat to low and add 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce and 2 tablespoons chili sauce.

Add another tablespoon (or two, to taste) of ketchup. Continue stirring over low heat.

Now add 2 -3 tablespoons of salad cream dressing and then carefully stir in about 3 tablespoons of coffee cream (or heavy cream). Keep heat LOW so that this doesn't burn.

In a small bowl mix _ cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Add a teaspoon of vinegar and still until smooth. Slowly add this to the simmering sauce. Add more cream or chili sauce as needed for color and taste. Simmer until sauce is thoroughly heated and becomes a rich, orangy color.

Add seafood of your choice to the sauce. When seafood is cooked, serve over hot rice, accompanied with steamed peas.

The accompanying photos are of Oscar in a playful mood while preparing his gravy. His joy was ever-present.