Oscar Peterson On Piano Jazz

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The great pianist Oscar Peterson taped an episode of Piano Jazz in 1997. R.J. Capak/SCETV hide caption

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R.J. Capak/SCETV

The great pianist Oscar Peterson taped an episode of Piano Jazz in 1997.

R.J. Capak/SCETV

Oscar Peterson was one of the giants of jazz piano. Fast fingers and a hardwired sense of swing defined Peterson and made him a favorite musical partner for everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Herbie Hancock.

Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) would have been 89 this year. On this program from 1998, Peterson demonstrates his amazing technique on his "Love Ballad" before joining host Marian McPartland on Duke Ellington's "In A Mellow Mood."

Originally recorded Nov. 9, 1997. Originally broadcast April 4, 1998.

Set List

• "Like Someone in Love" (J. Burke and J. Van Heusen)
• "Lament" (J.J. Johnson)
• "Reunion Blues" (Milt Jackson)
• "Love Ballad" (Peterson)
• "Nighttime" (Peterson)
• "A Child Is Born" (Jones)
• "Portrait of Oscar Peterson" (McPartland)
• "Portrait of Marian" (Peterson)
• "In a Mellow Tone" (Ellington)