Oscar Peterson
August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007
Oscar Peterson was a prolific Canadian jazz pianist and composer who, over the course of a 60+ year career, released over 200 albums, seven of which earning him Grammys. Peterson actually started out with the trumpet as a child, but after coming down with tuberculosis at the of seven, he could no longer play it, so he turned his focus to the piano. Peterson is regarded for his choice of duet partners over the years. Some of those he worked with were Ray Brown, Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry and Herb Ellis. He also put together some of the greatest trios and quartets jazz has ever known. Peterson was an educator as well, teaching at advanced music schools and universities in Canada. He continued to perform up until the final months of his life. On December 23, Oscar Peterson died of renal failure at the age of 82.
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