TORONTO — Oscar Peterson, whose early talent, speedy fingers and musical genius made him one of the world’s best known jazz pianists, died at age 82.
His death was confirmed by Neweduk Funeral Home in Mississauga, the Toronto suburb where Peterson lived. The city’s mayor, Hazel McCallion, said that he died of kidney failure but that she did not know when. The hospital and police refused to comment. The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported that he died on Sunday.
“He’s been going downhill in the last few months, slowing up,” McCallion said, calling Peterson a “very close friend.”
During an illustrious career spanning seven decades, Peterson played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Dizzy Gillespie. He is also remembered for touring in a trio with Ray Brown on bass and Herb Ellis on guitar in the 1950s.
Peterson’s impressive collection of awards include all of Canada’s highest honors, such as the Order of Canada, as well as a Lifetime Grammy (1997) and a spot in the International Jazz Hall of Fame.
His growing stature was reflected in the admiration of his peers. Duke Ellington referred to him as “Maharajah of the keyboard,” while Count Basie once said “Oscar Peterson plays the best ivory box I’ve ever heard.”
Jazz pianist Marian McPartland called Peterson “the finest technician that I have seen.”
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. He really was just a special player,” Taylor said.
Born on Aug. 15, 1925, in a poor neighborhood southwest of Montreal, Peterson obtained a passion for music from his father. Daniel Peterson, a railway porter and self-taught musician, bestowed his love of music to his five children, offering them a means to escape from poverty.
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