Oscar Emmanuel Peterson

Born: August 15, 1925
Died: December 14, 2007
Place of Birth: Montreal, Quebec

• Oscar Peterson is considered one of the foremost jazz pianists in the world.

• At an early age, Peterson was encouraged by his parents to take up music.

• He continued studying music and learned to play a number of instruments

• Peterson learned on the piano as a classical pianist under the tutelage of Paul de Marky.

• He entered and won a CBC amateur contest and was given his own 25-minute program.

• Playing in the Alberta Lounge, Peterson began impressing Americans that were visiting on holidays.

• Peterson then signed a recording contract with RCA and made several tours across Canada.

• He was drawn to the United States and signed a contract that made Norman Granz his manager.

• Granz proved to be an excellent manager and had Peterson in 1951 sign under the Verve recording label.

• Peterson, in addition to performing in trios across several continents, began having success as a composer.

• He has received numerous awards for his musical compositions and in 1978 won a Canadian Film Award for his score in the movie "The Silent Killer"

• In 1984, Peterson was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.

• Peterson, after suffering a stroke in 1993, continued to make some appearances on television and in clubs.

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Last Updated: June 13, 2006
© Canada-Heros/Don Jones 2003