Oscar Peterson died two days ago. He was a great pianist but not a major jazz genius. He was and remained a typical be-bop piano player, like a living fossil of the 50's well into the 1990's. He was less of a virtuoso than Bud Powell (let alone Art Tatum), displayed less harmonic and rythmic innovation than McCoy Tyner or Thelonious Monk, less colour and subtlety than Bill Evans etc.
The reason I like him is mostly his sensitivity as an accompanist and because he has been associated with some of the greatest moments of jazz. I can think of at least three series of old-fashion standards recordings that I love, with Peterson at the piano:
- The Verve recordings of 'Ella and Louis' produced by Norman Granz
- The most heartbreaking and beautiful version of 'Love for Sale' by Billie Holiday, with the lightest touch of Peterson in the background
- The recordings with Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and Stephane Grappelli
Besides Peterson was a nice decent man. How come fat old black jazzmen are always nice decent men, while most pop stars are stupid nasty anorexic bitches?
