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A Jazz Odyssey Oscar Peterson

A Jazz Odyssey By Oscar Peterson

A Jazz Odyssey by Oscar Peterson


$72,99
Condition - Like New
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Summary

An overview of the career of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, from the fame of his early years as the star attraction of Canada's renowned Johnny Holmes Orchestra to the 1970s and his role as a solo pianist and television personality.

A Jazz Odyssey Summary

A Jazz Odyssey: The Life of Oscar Peterson by Oscar Peterson

An overview of the career of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, in the words of Quincy Jones, "one of the greatest musicians on the planet". Born in Montreal in 1925 to immigrant parents of West Indian origin, he soon revealed himself to be a musical prodigy. From the fame of his early years as the star attraction of Canada's renowned Johnny Holmes Orchestra, Peterson came south at the instigation of Coleman Hawkins and Dizzy Gillespie, making his New York debut at Carnegie Hall in 1949. From there his musical career went to ever greater heights, forming one of the first great trios with Ray Brown and Herb Ellis, and working with musicians such as Hawkins, Gillespie, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. In the 1970s Peterson pursued a career as a solo pianist and television personality, and continues to perform and record today. This work aims to provide a noble memorial to a man whom many regard as one of the 20th century's finest artists.

About Oscar Peterson

Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson is, in the words of Quincy Jones, 'one of the greatest musicians on the planet.' Richard Palmer is a lifelong jazz fan and has been a staff writer for Jazz Journal since the late 1970s.

Table of Contents

Part one: The key to Oscar: Canada; beginnings; early teachers; my dad - Daniel Peterson; the formative years; subcultures and bigotry; runs, chords, and girls; decisions, decisions; from sixteen to three ; Collie Ramsey - mystery piano player; departure and arrival - part 1; departure and arrival - part 2; America - the 50s; early American days; from duo to trio; Herbie's story; trio control and growth; membership flow in the trio; early trio life and dealing with the road; the dinner battles; a different kind of taping; the bus - part 1; the bus - part 2; kissing bandit; ice-cream Charlie does it again; the slasher; the return of the Dallas flash; five cameos; the knowledgeable media; the southern draft - Norman Granz; Norman Granz - reluctant genius; Norman the gourmand; lifetime achievement grammy - Jazz people; Coleman Hawkin - the enigma; meet the president - Lester Young; the legend is real - Lady Fitz; Billie Holiday - the mysterious Lady Day; the Lady Day sessions ; Buddy Rich; Roy (Speedy Gonzales) Eldridge; Harry Edison; Bill Harris; Stuff Smith; Stan and Zoot; Carmen McRae - the special one; the other Lady Day - Anita O'Day; a glance at my confreres in the piano world; Wynton Kelly - brimsha man; in the studio - the proving ground; the verve Charlie Parker jam session; the role of the accompanist. Part Two More keys: the 60s onwards; the percussive group - Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen; the Night Train album; membership flow in the trio - 60s and 70s; the long and the short of it; the MPS years; those unrelenting bassists; persuasive percussion; Joe Pass - guitar eternal; Porgy and Bess with Joe Pass ; hang out in Japan; the hands hassle; preparation for solo piano performance; Duke Ellington - monarch supreme; the trumpet kings; Clark Terry - unsung hero; Ronnie Scott - "The Rev"; Mr Pretty - Alan Claire; four vignettes - James Mason, Jonathan Winters, Clint Eastwood, back up friends; Paul De Marky's Chopin-like eggs; Benny Green - critic supreme; "Oscar's piano parties"; pianos - my lifelong friends; the electronic revolution; promoters and their ways; the royal wedding album; the new quartet; the order of Canada; the Glenn Gould prize; the Praemium Imperiale. Part three Matters political: bigotry starts early; Nigger!; my favourite politician; pitfalls of the profession; cultural politics - the betrayal of Jazz. Part four Matters personal: true moments of greatness - the outdoorsman; the great hotels of the world; the continual search for true friends; night child; marriage and fatherhood; surgery, resurgence, stroke!; the perfect retreat; the elusive control of emotion; the will to perfection.

Additional information

GOR013125664
9780826458070
0826458076
A Jazz Odyssey: The Life of Oscar Peterson by Oscar Peterson
Used - Like New
Hardback
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
2002-07-01
384
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
The book has been read, but looks new. The book cover has no visible wear, and the dust jacket is included if applicable. No missing or damaged pages, no tears, possible very minimal creasing, no underlining or highlighting of text, and no writing in the margins

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