R.I.P. Oscar Peterson 1925-2007
For the second year in a row, the music world had lost one of its greats at Christmastime. This time, it’s legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.
When I first started getting into jazz many years ago, Oscar Peterson was one of the first artists I listened to. One year in college, my roommates and I went to a record sale fundraiser for WSIU-FM. Dear friend and A.C. commenter Eric and I loaded up on jazz records.
Since Eric had a turntable, we listened to his records first when we got home. Among them was one with Peterson and vibraphonist Milt Jackson, “Very Tall” if I remember correctly. I was so impressed with the record that I would sneak spins of it when Eric was at class. (Sorry, dude). I’ve been a fan of Peterson’s (and Jackson’s) ever since.
