Oscar Peterson's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) The Jonathan Winters Show Oscar Peter… Music 55 Oscar Peter… The Lively Ones Oscar Peter… Today's Special (CA) Oscar Peter…

Main Movie Roles 1972 - Magic Graz

BIOGRAPHY:

Oscar Peterson, the famous jazz musician, started his recording career in the mid 40s with records for RCA. As member of the group "Jazz at the Philharmonic" he started touring in the 50s and continued until late in the 60s. During this time he made also numerous recordings for various labels. He has recorded with the great jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong (I), Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charlie Parker (I).


TRIVIA:

• Among his many fans was musician 'Herbie Hancock' (qv).
• Had a stroke in 1993 that restricted the use of his left hand.
• Composed "A Royal Wedding Suite" for the wedding of 'Prince Charles' (qv) and 'Princess Diana' (qv) (1981).
• Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 1995.
• Born to Daniel Peterson, a porter, and his wife Kathleen Olivia John Peterson, a domestic worker, he grew up in Little Burgundy, a neighborhood in Montreal.
• Started as a trumpet player, but switched to the piano because a childhood tuberculosis left his lung to weak to blow.
• He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 23, 1972 and the C.C. (Companion of the Order of Canada) on June 25, 1984 for his services to music.
• Child with Kelly Peterson: daughter Celine.