100 years of Oscar Peterson: an ambitious tribute paid by his daughter to the fijm

If he had not left us in 2007, the legendary Montreal jazz pianist Oscar Peterson would have been 100 years on August 15. The Montreal International Jazz Festival (FIJM) presents a large concert on Friday at the Symphonic House on the occasion with a quartet of handpicked musicians. Céline Peterson, daughter of the musician and co -producer of the show, tells us about this tribute and the immense inheritance left by her father.

Duke Ellington nicknamed him keyboard maharajahhis friends called him OP and Céline Peterson was content with papa. The young 34-year-old artists’ agent, younger of the siblings of seven children of Oscar Peterson (born of her union with Kelly Peterson), is the driving force at the origin of this tribute show that she co-produced with the Montreal drummer Jim Doxas.

This one is also part of the quartet which will be at the heart of the celebrations, the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet. The group, custom -made for the occasion, includes two other Canadians – pianist Robi Botos and double bass player Mike Downes – as well as the Swedish virtuoso guitarist Ulf Wakenius, who played for 10 years with Oscar Peterson.

One of our objectives was to highlight Canadian musicians, because my father would have liked to be put our national talent forward. ULF WAKENIUS, which brings an international touch, perfectly completes the quartetexplains Céline Peterson.

As a mistress of ceremonies, the latter will also crowd the scene of the symphonic house to talk about jazz and to tell some personal anecdotes about her father.

Canadical suite Full playing under the direction of John Clayton

The Friday evening show will take place in two stages. During the first half of the evening, the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet will perform several unforgettable compositions of the Montreal pianist, as Place St. Henri, Hymn to Freedom et Cakewalkas well as several jazz standards which he interpreted in his sauce over his 70th career, of Tenderly has Caravan.

After the intermission, the 14 musicians and musicians of the Oscar Peterson Centennial Jazz Orchestra will join the main quartet to interpret, under the direction of the famous double bass player, composer and arranger John Clayton, the whole of Canadical suite (1965), flagship album of Oscar Peterson’s career, which pays tribute to the varied landscapes of Canada.

“I am very excited, because in addition to my father’s centenary, we also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the album Canadical suite. This work was extremely important, both for my father and for music lovers. It is an album that had an incredible longevity, ”explains his daughter.

“We are very lucky to welcome John Clayton, a great friend of my father who wrote his own arrangements for Canadical suite In 1999. These arrangements have never been interpreted in full during a concert. It will be exceptional, ”she adds.

The evening will conclude with the ceremony of the Oscar Peterson 2025 prize by Céline Peterson and a surprise guest.

A legacy beyond music

Céline Peterson believes that the monumental heritage that her father left behind goes far beyond music, if only by his career as a black musician who has gone around the United States.

During the first decades of his career, he witnessed many things by being on the road in the United States and elsewhere, very hard, very painful, sometimes terrible thingsshe explains.

Finding yourself in the middle of the Ku Klux Klan gathering by simply trying to get from one city to another. Or, come back home with a certain notoriety, but be refused a haircut because of the color of your skin. I do not see how we can remain unchanged.

Not only did he conceded all of this with dignity, but he found himself alongside people like [l’imprésario, producteur et activiste] Norman Granz, which allowed him to take a stand. And later, he used his notoriety and his voice to make things improve.

OP was also a Canadian proud even if he spent most of his life traveling the world. Among the many recognition brands that have marked his career, including eight Grammy prizes, her daughter affirms that the one who moved her the most is his appointment as an officer, then a companion of the Order of Canada.

A man with immense personality

When he was outside the scene and far from the piano, Céline Peterson remembers her father as a character larger than life who was aware of his notoriety but who did everything in his power so that the family daily life is as normal as possible.

He had an immense personality. He was incredibly joker, he loved to make jokes and he emanated a contagious joy of life. He was really a bright person and it was a real pleasure to be in his company.

She also underlines her great humility, evoking an eloquent anecdote as such. Oscar Peterson was 80 years old when he received a book titled The 50 biggest jazz pianists of all timewho devoted him to first position in front of his own idols, like Art Tatum and Nat King Cole.

He cried. He explained to us that it was because he did not feel that he had his place above these musicians. It says everythingshe says.

After its performance in Montreal, the Oscar Peterson Centennial Quartet will be in concert everywhere through Quebec and in the East Canadian, notably in Laval, Longueuil, Quebec, Moncton and Terrebonne. The Lex French trumpet will replace Ulf Wakenius’ guitar during certain concerts.