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BIOGRAPHY

Dr. OSCAR EMMANUEL PETERSON, CC CQ OOnt., is one of the most prolific jazz pianists of all time, lending his name and talents to more than 500 recordings and earning 8 GRAMMY Awards (including Lifetime Achievement). Born in Montréal’s Little Burgundy, his immense talent, fierce determination and profound love for the artform caught the attention of jazz music’s greatest impresario and founder of Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP), Norman Granz. After accepting an invitation to perform as a surprise guest at a JATP show at Carnegie Hall at just twenty-four years old, Peterson would continue to tour with the group, performing with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Roy Eldridge, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Lester Young, and Lionel Hampton.

Oscar Peterson and Norman Granz
Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, and Herb Ellis
Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald, and Joe Pass

Peterson’s global admiration and respect as both a musician and humanitarian would later be recognized in the form of various international honours including: Praemium Imperiale World Art Award, UNESCO Music Prize, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France), and sixteen honourary doctorates. For most of his near 7-decade career, Peterson remained on the road, performing for eager audiences around the world, and always proudly representing his home of Canada. Among his most cherished recognitions was being named a Companion of the Order of Canada, Chevalier of the Order of Québec and receiving the Order of Ontario. Posthumously, Peterson was inducted into both the Canadian Songwriters and Canadian Music Halls of Fame and today finds himself a permanent part of Canada’s history with a statue in the nation’s capital (created by Ruth Abernethy), a Canada Post stamp, murals, parks and streets bearing his name and in 2022, a Commemorative Circulation Coin was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint paying tribute to Peterson.

The legacy of Oscar Peterson remains strong with his music being taught in schools worldwide and through the efforts of Kelly Peterson (The Estate of Oscar Peterson), there has been the release of several recording projects including 3 never-before-heard archival concerts, the dynamic solo piano project Oscar, With Love (featuring 16 internationally renowned pianists performing Peterson’s compositions in his home, on his beloved Bösendorfer Imperial piano), the completion and world premiere of the Africa Suite (featuring original arrangements by John Clayton), and several concerts both in Canada and beyond. The Estate of Oscar Peterson proudly honours his life’s work and commitment to artistic excellence and in 2025 will celebrate what would be his 100th birthday with a series of live concerts and exciting projects. It is through the invaluable contributions of the musicians whom Peterson has inspired that these initiatives are enriched.

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