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Hulton Archive / Getty ImagesOscar Peterson in 1958.
Famed jazz pianist Oscar Peterson died Dec. 24, 2007. He was 82.
Here are highlights from NPR's archived coverage of Oscar Peterson:
1982: Oscar Peterson performs at New York's Kool Jazz Festival
1998: Oscar Peterson on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz
Hear a concert by Oscar Peterson and others from the NPR Jazz archives, originally broadcast in 1982 and posted on the Web site in 2005 as a celebration of Peterson's 80th birthday. The concert features solo performances, as well as Peterson's trio and an appearance by Herbie Hancock.
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Pianist Oscar Peterson was one of the giants of jazz piano. Fast fingers and a hard-wired sense of swing defined Peterson and made him a favorite musical partner for everyone from Ella to Dizzy to Herbie Hancock. On this program from 1998, Peterson demonstrates his deft touch and amazing technique.
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The famed virtuoso commanded the entire keyboard with incredible dexterity, drive and precision, while performing around the world for more than 50 years, accruing countless honors, awards and critical accolades.
()News & Notes pays tribute to the life and musical contributions of jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. The eight-time Grammy winner played with all the greats, including Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Dizzy Gillespie.
()Jazz giant Oscar Peterson died Sunday night in his Ontario home at age 82 of kidney failure. The program pays a special tribute to the pianist, who Duke Ellington called "beyond measure."
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Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, who grew up in Montreal and called Canada home for his whole life, has died at the age of 82. He led the Oscar Peterson Trio for much of the 1950s and collaborated with jazz luminaries Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson and others.
()As a youngster, Oscar Peterson remembers sneaking downstairs while his parents slept so he could to listen to jazz on the radio. Years later, the pianist found himself accompanying many of the artists he first heard as a kid, including Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young and Dizzy Gillespie. Hear the second part of the interview.
()Host Bob Edwards talks with Grammy award-winning jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. He is internationally known as an accomplished soloist, group member and accompanist, having worked with such artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Billie Holiday. Hear the first part of the interview.
()Commentator John McDonough remembers this night 50 years ago when a Canadian pianist named Oscar Peterson made his American debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. We hear from the man who made it possible: jazz impresario Norman Granz. Peterson had been reluctant to perform, so the performance was not announced in advance: Peterson was called up from his seat in the audience during a jazz show to play. He went on to become a sensation.
()Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, who grew up in Montreal and called Canada home for his whole life, has died at the age of 82. He led the Oscar Peterson Trio for much of the 1950s and collaborated with jazz luminaries Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Milt Jackson and others.
()Oscar Peterson, the jazz pianist who debuted in 1949 and performed with virtually all the great jazz musicians, including John Coltrane and Billie Holiday, has died.
()Oscar Peterson learned piano from his father, beginning a career in which he became world famous for his strong technique and powerful sense of swing. He is best known for the trios he put together in the 1950s and 1960s. On this album The Peterson Trio shows why it ranks with some of the best small groups in jazz.
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This week's Take Five skips from the provinces of Quebec and Ottawa over to British Columbia, featuring a jazz legend, a world-famous vocalist/pianist and a few Canadian musicians who are gaining wider recognition outside their home country. Listen to five songs below.
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