Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas Eve Suckage

Two of my favorite musicians of all time, in one week.  First Dan Fogelberg.  Now, Oscar Peterson.....

Herbie Hancock, another legendary jazz pianist, said Peterson’s impact was profound.

“Oscar Peterson redefined swing for modern jazz pianists for the latter half of the 20th century,” Hancock said. “I consider him the major influence that formed my roots in jazz piano playing. ... No one will ever be able to take his place.”

Jazz impresario Quincy Jones said it was a blessing to have worked with Peterson.

“ He was one of the last of the giants, but his music and contributions will be eternal,” Jones said.

Jazz pianist Marian McPartland called Peterson “the finest technician that I have seen.”

McPartland said she first met Peterson when she and her husband, jazz cornetist Jimmy McPartland, opened for him in Toronto in the 1940s.

“From that point on we became such goods friends, and he was always wonderful to me and I have always felt very close to him,” she said. “I played at his tribute concert at Carnegie Hall earlier this year and performed `Tenderly,’ which was always my favorite piece of his.”

The American jazz pianist Billy Taylor called Peterson one of the finest jazz pianists of his time. “He set the pace for just about everybody that followed him.”

Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Eldar Djangirov said he wouldn’t have been a musician if he hadn’t heard Peterson play. “He was on top for as long as he played. He would play things with one hand that most piano players couldn’t do with both of their hands.”

There will never be another like Oscar Peterson.  Never.

Posted by Moi ;) at 11:55 PM | Link
in Music