Synopses & Reviews
An engaging biography of a living musical legend, Oscar Peterson. A man Duke Ellington once called the maharajah of the piano. Gene Lees carefully builds up the portrait of Peterson, his childhood and what it meant to be be black and talented in Montreal in the 1940s, hist three marriages and six children, his musical partners (Ray Brown, Herb Ellis and Ed Thigpen), his musical friends and colleagues (Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum and Lester Young, amongst others) and the critical controversy and mythology that have long surrounded Peterson. This updated version has a new chapter that covers Peterson's appointment as Chancellor of York University; his receipt of ten honorary doctorates and the Order of Canada; his stroke and partial recovery; the origins and fallout of his cancelled North American tour and much more.
Synopsis
Based on extensive interviews, Oscar Peterson is a well-informed and provocative exploration of Peterson's music.
Synopsis
Duke Ellington called Oscar Peterson the "maharajah of the piano, " and this enlightening biography delves deep into Peterson's extraordinary career to create a profound and engaging portrait of the living musical legend. Based on extensive interviews, it is also a well-informed and provocative exploration of Peterson's music, a revolutionary fusion of swing and bop styles that overhauled jazz as we know it.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 323-[326]) and index.