Posted on 02/14/2020 7:46:21 PM PST by Maceman
Improvisation on original Bach-style tune composed and performed by pianist Oscar Peterson - with Joe Pass (guitar), David Young (bass), Martin Drew (drums)
I have seen Oscar and Joe Pass live but separate concerts. It was late in Oscar’s life but he still had it. It was incredible to hear his command of intricate fast right hand improv while the left hand is doing octaves and swinging.
I once went to an Oscar Peterson/Joe Pass concert at Boston Symphony Hall. Unfortunately, Oscar got snowed in in Canada and couldn’t make the performance.
Fortunatly though, they gave everybody back their money and Joe Pass came out and gave a free one hour solo concert.
I was a student at the Berklee College of Music then, and when the word got out that Joe Pass was giving a free concert, that hall filled up in no time. What a fabulously memorable night that was!!
I saw Joe pass in a small club in new Orleans in 1977. I may have been 20 feet from him or so as the place was small with tables. Amazing guy with a recognizable original style. Saw pat Martino in that same club another time. This was before his brain injury.
The only one better was Art Tatum.
I saw OP a few times, mostly in smaller venues back in the 70’s and 80’s. I play guitar, not piano, but for the most part my impression was that his technique was at many points beyond the physically possible; Otherworldly. There seemed to be no limit to the number of notes he could effortlessly and arbitrarily cram into any given time interval. Not just “notes” but well chosen and very musical notes. At the end of each set my brain was exhausted from following his lines.
I used to be a wedding singer. I did a gig one night in a funciton room next to the jazz venue at the hotel where Joe Pass was performing that night.
I was out in the function room hallway on a break, when Joe walked over and we started talking. He said: “I’d love to come in and here you play.” I responded: “Well, you already missed the pre-diiner part where I played all the stuff that I’ve stolen off your recordings. From here on out it’s all dance music.”
He didn’t come in, and I was greateful, because I was in no way a guitar player in Joe Pass’ class, although I was in awe of just having the chance to engage with him even in that brief conversation. I would have been totally embarrassed to have him come in an listen to my playing. He was, and still is, one of my all time guitar heroes.
Agreed!
Peterson was INCREDIBLE!!!!
Wow. What a story. And you went to Berklee.
Those 7 Times Oscar Peterson Went Next Level Genius | bernie’s bootlegs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxs4KWxcw1w
supposeldy this kid makes up songs as he goes along- and can mix several different styles together impromptu
I don’t know much abotu music but he seems pretty good to me- any thoughts?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uE1xsuEywQ&t=149s
We lost a real good one this week in Lyle Mays.
here’s another one of chookra- i just can’t get over how someone can even begin to think that fast- throwing chords together impromptu like that- with both hands, so that it all makes sense- and sounds cool- hats off!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94kRzYKpW6A
Neither Oscar Peterson or this Chookra fella are top tier piano players.
THIS is a piano player...Krystian Zimerman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ce8p0VcTbuA
Few come close.
For my tastes there is nothing better than the Oscar Peterson Trio side by side with The Singers Unlimited with Gene Pearling’s arrangements/creations. Of these the collaboration on the theme song from Sesame Street is tops (The Singers Unlimited “In Tune with the Oscar Peterson Trio” 1973).
The Singers Unlimited’s bass was the voice of the Jolly Green Giant, Len Dresslar. Gene Pearling’s vocal legacy is the group “Take 6”, a Christian vocal combo. Peterson, Singers and Take 6 are my kind of jazz.
The NappyOne
He plays like he’s making love to a beautiful woman.
He plays like he’s making love to a beautiful woman that he can hardly beieve he’s with.
Sorry, not very impressed mate.
no? Can you explain why? I’m not up on what makes a good player-
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