My Dad used to shoot pool against him occasionally at DeCarlo's pool room on St-Antoine Street (I think). in St-Henri close to Richmond Square. My Dad would usually win.
My Hippy cousin, from the 60s Wally who is a musical genius had a piano lesson from Oscar Peterson when he was probably 9-10 yrs old set up by his dad, My Uncle knowing his young son had major league musical talent & his dad, Uncle Wally was on the money
It is impossible to overstate the level of virtuosity we are so lucky to witness in this video. At this speed, almost no one can swing. Oscar does it effortlessly. Who else can improvise at this speed? Who else can demonstrate such relaxed technique? Style? Mastery? Independence? Grace? Beauty? Elegance? Only Oscar. There are special moments in life. This is one.
Not really improvisation it's all learnt runs etc thrown together with a great knowledge of music theory Even in this video He repeats what he plays in other vids
@@ciararespect4296 From the great Charlie Parker on, the key to Bebop has been the learning of scales, melodies, chords, exercises, and etudes, and applying them to multiple chord changes per bar at a tempo that defies all logic. Then, if you are truly great, you can make it swing and have something to say, often by quotes, interpolations, and--Bach-like--turning the familiar upside down and backwards and modulating it all through a series of changes. It seems to me that, as has been said by many, it is easy to say that it is all just stuff thrown together until one is actually staring at the page and having to keep up with the band.
Jesus!!! Listen to this!!! I saw/heard him when I was 13yrs in 1956. Today, listening to this at the age of 72, I Am still hearing it Singing/Swinging and Dancing as I did at that time. One Word GREAT!
I always thought that was what they were doing but in truth its more like one hand goes on auto pilot and the other has the focus. That's not the case 100% of the time but for most of the improv/solo his attention is almost certainly on his right hand. That being said, his auto pilot is better than my best day lol.
Oscar is the all time greatest jazz pianist imo. The coolest thing though is that if you listen closely to him in his live performances you can actually hear him humming the improvs along with his hands. He hears it in his head before he plays it. Unreal. RIP Oscar.
Idfk know why I'm replying to an 11 year old comment but...im pretty sure that's just how you improv...that's part of the talent. Still. Oscar is extremely good at it.
@@stonethemason12 not always true. You can also just know the scales and play notes that you can find with your fingers. Peterson probably knew what he was going to play a couple measures ahead.
@@chestermarcol3831 Tatum may have been FASTER, but Oscar was PRECISE. To me that makes Oscar better(since you want to use that term). They were both BEASTS, though...!
+James Anderson The most insane part is that it isn't only Jazz, at the same time he throws in more technical classical music parts than most professional classical musicians will ever play haha, one true master of music is what we got here
Sam Martino And we have to thank Oscars dad for bursting his bubble at an early age, when a young Oscar thought he knew it all regarding the piano then he listened to Art Tatum, and Oscar had to up his game, and as far as I am concerned took Tatums crown and Oscar became the greatest ever.
@@pjohnson9576 Oscar figured out by his wits how to do what Tatum was born with, by chance wiring, mis-wiring or however savants are gifted, and that's really something, and something again to give the not so apparently gifted hope for uncontained improvement.
@@pjohnson9576 Yes as far as you are concerned but Art Tatum is considered the greatest of all times. He was totally blind in one eye and barely 20 percent vision on the other. Oscar would never consider himself above Tatum. They have different styles but Tatum was unsurpassed.
+nezkeys79 Seriously? I listened to her songs - though she is extremely good (my singing professor attended her school, Berklee), she's not even close to close. This man if you're not familiar with him, is a literal international jazz hall of famer, regarded by his own hall of famer counterparts as "much better" *censorship* than themselves. Just by observing one person and coming to the conclusion of "not interesting" due to familiarity or feeling is not a viable/logical response. Observe the facts first before going onto such a finicky conclusion. Apologies for brashness.
You can tell how much work it is by the volume of sweat on his forehead...But it seems that the energy expended is sustained and perpetuated by the energy dispensed...incredible!
I think my favorite thing about this is watching NHOP's expression, as if to say "I'm one of the best ever and I can't believe I get to stand this close to greatness."
@@silkee59 bernell is a master of chord soloing using block chords, dyads and so forth. Great stuff!!! Oscar likewise is a master of that technique. That's a perfect duo... idk the bass player
Outstanding, exceptional, perfection - amongst the world's best ever jazz pianists. Saw him in 1970s at Ronnie Scott's club and many years later at London's Royal Albert Hall where he received a standing ovation - total respect.
That was it, they were watching him like magnets, he hit that note, gave a wave and they all jumped right in! Good lord that man can play!! I'm a combination of bummed and thrilled!. Bummed that I'm just now finding him and thrilled that I have!
look at the smile on Neils Pederson's face pure admiration Peterson will go down as the greatest jazz pianist in history a gold standard for all to immulate. RIP Oscar!
My mom took me to see Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass, and Ella Fitzgerald in concert in Chicago in the mid seventies. What a conglomeration of other-worldly talent. We will never see the likes of it again!
Yes.... Thank You 🙏 to Rick Beato for opening my eyes to expansive incredible music and The Talent Behind them. R.I.P. to Oscar Peterson.... What a Pianist, but an even better Man.
OMG! Oscar Peterson is truly a phenomenon! Do you see how the others are looking at him? They're flabbergasted at his genius, technique and talent! There'll never be anyone better.
WOW!!! Oscar has been an inspiration to me for 50 years at least. I’m a bassist and through him I was introduced to my second greatest inspiration, NHOP. When I pass on, I know they are in the after life ready to inspire me and practice even harder. They were gods amongst us mortals.
A sharp pain went through my head when he his that last note, I actually think that was 8 minutes of hypnotic brilliance. R.i.p. Mr. Peterson. Also, watch Barneys face and Niels eventually too, they can't help but smile. Who could resist, really?
Encore un petit génie des 88 touches. Oscar au boogie-woogie ça c'est pas banal. Rythme, vélocité, musicalité, c'est magique. Oscar un des meilleurs pianistes de tous les temps. Repose en paix.
damn, it must have scared the hell out of these two stepping up to Oscar every night. What a force he was, the Blues and Be-bop colliding together like two meteorites.
What a gifted, brilliant and lovely man. I remember watching Oscar playing opposing pianos with Keith Emerson. What a great show! As Carl Palmer said: "Oscar Peterson is a wonderful chap." Keef, bless him looked so intense while he was playing. A happy new year to you all. Peace and respect. Pauly.
update...so, my wife and I were in London in March '23. We went to see a show at Ronnie Scott's. The band playing was fine, good, etc. But, in my mind, I really just wanted to be in the club where Oscar played. This video is so amazing. I don't think most of the folks at the club had any idea of the talent that was before them back in '74. I'd like to think that I would've known. RIP Oscar P. That left hand!
Certain elements of this are surely bordering on what is humanly possible. What an absolutely mind-blowing artist this gentleman was, skill that comes around incredibly infrequently. Wow, just...wow
A gentile genius,through his music and his understanding of the healing power of that music he,as a conduit of the divine, like so few with that responsibility, he steps aside and gives us a sample of the joy we as humans have inherited either by mistake or on purpose , We are such a conflicted species but we are one that at times finds solace in that conflict by creating something ulitimately staggering and breathtakingly beautifull. Something singularly human that shakes a fist at the void of all that is frightening...its what we do,, and Oscar Petersons music gave him that yes but more importantly he gave it to us to remenber how beautifull mankind can be.
I remember when Oscar passed on, CBC Radio played many of his performances. I remember one in particular where about half way through the tune, his playing just took off and flew. Even listening on a low fi radio, it made one gasp. He was a giant.
This is one of the best piano demonstration I ever heard. I watch it, rewatch it and watch it again and my ears still can't believe that sound. Simply Wonderful!!! Mr. Peterson is surely making every angels grooving up there!!
Always knew he could play, just never realized how magical his playing was, until I first listened to this performance many years ago. There are great pianists, and then there is the Immortal Oscar Peterson. 🎹
I actually mean it. It's not a second degree insult of any shit like this, like seriously, Chopin would be so interesting if he could have listen to some jazz 🥺
Hate that I took his music for granted back in the day. Didn't delve in deep enough to really get a handle on his genius and obvious greatness. Amazing talent. R.I.P.
