Oscar Peterson Dies

Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson has died. When I saw Peterson at Ravinia several years ago, age and illnesses had already robbed him of his speed and power. But you could still hear the wit and intelligence in his notes.

Peterson was one of our most muscualar jazz pianists. But he also had a delicate touch when he wanted to display it. My favorite album by Peterson is "The Oscar Peterson Trio at the Stratford Shakespearean Festival" because it highlights both his power and his touch. Guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown proved to be the perfect companions for the gig. On "Norean's Nocturn," for example, they drive Peterson to one of the most exhilarating live jazz performances on record; it reminds me a lot of Paul Gonsalves' driving solo on "“Diminuendo in Blue and Crescendo in Blue” from the ”Ellington at Newport 1956” album. A few tracks later, you find "Nuages," which is as gentle as "Norean's Nocturn" is powerful.

At $10, the album's a bargain. Get it while you can.