Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (1925-2007)
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a renowned jazz pianist, composer and educator, and one of Canada’s most honoured musicians. Born in Montréal, Peterson was mostly self-taught, yet he went on to amaze audiences worldwide with his incredible speed, dexterity, and smooth, swinging style. Peterson recorded extensively, often releasing several albums a year, starting from the 1950s and continuing until his death. He also appeared on more than 200 albums by other artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong. His own musical compositions are highly regarded, including such iconic creations as Canadiana Suite and “Hymn to Freedom,” which celebrated the civil rights movement. As a Black man, he experienced racism, and he advocated for racial equality throughout his life. Peterson also dedicated himself to teaching and mentoring, including starting at music school in Toronto, and mentoring at York University. During his long career, he won many awards, including a Juno, eight Grammys and in 1997, a Grammy lifetime achievement award. Peterson was the first recipient of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement. Peterson was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1978 and in 1996, into the International Academy of Jazz Hall of Fame. He was also made an Officer and then Companion of the Order of Canada, and an Officer in the Order of Arts and Letters in France, among many other honours.
(Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia)
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