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.
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.
Agreed!
Peterson was INCREDIBLE!!!!
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
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
Ping
The Great Oscar Peterson. Chic Corea ain’t too shabby either...or is he more of a “keyboardist”?
try to track down that live show he did with Joe et al in Tokyo (if memory serves); it goes up on YT, then gets found and deleted then reappears...