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MORE ABOUT THE OSCAR PETERSON SCULPTURE | News

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:11:00 GMT

The unveiling ceremony was a most memorable occasion. So many people gathered at “Oscar's Corner” for the event, and to share in the excitement as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II pulled the golden cord to reveal the sculpture to everyone.

Rain had threatened, but the sun shone brightly. The Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir sang, among other songs, Oscar Peterson's “Hymn To Freedom,” accompanied by Oliver Jones on piano.

Céline and Kelly Peterson wish to express their deep gratitude to all of the National Committee members, the staff of the National Arts Centre, Master of Ceremony Gregory Charles, the Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir conducted by Professor Trevor Payne, Pianist Oliver Jones, Minister James Moore, Rosemary Thompson, Julia Foster and Peter Herrndorf for their tremendous efforts in making this an unforgettable event. Thanks also go to all those who gathered to share this moment.

Special thanks go to Sculptor Ruth Abernethy, for her great gift of capturing Oscar Peterson in bronze. Here are her thoughts about the creation of this sculpture:

My intent in portraiture is to present a set of familiar features within a 'living moment' that rings true for a particular character. I begin by poring over all available reference in order to absorb the physical and emotional intricacies of my subject. With observations to inform my imagination I begin engineering the actual anatomical proportions. This of course, is a mathematical exercise and in every portrait one particular number begins to appear again and again. Imagine my astonishment and delight when, in this particular portrait, the resonant number was 3.14! There could be no better symbol for Oscar's musical inventiveness.

The piano was such a constant touchstone in Oscar's life that it had to be an element in this portrayal. Integral to the composition is the actual realization of the stretched perspectives seen through a camera's fish-eye lens. All components of the piano and bench are enlarged toward the south-side viewer and the resultant keyboard is actually curved, as is the contour of the piano lid. Oscar demanded that we re-imagine the piano repertoire and the bronze keyboard looses its distinctions between individual notes to become a runway, a point of departure; music beyond notes. This instrument suggests 97 keys, just like the Austrian, Bösendorfer Imperial, Oscar's piano of choice. The additional bass octave is finished with all black keys and this was too unique and interesting to ignore. 'Bösendorfer' is subtlety embossed on the fronstpiece.

Oscar adapted himself to a life in the public eye though never developed or presented a stage persona. For this lengthy 'public engagement' at the corner of Albert and Elgin Streets I wanted Oscar to be truly comfortable. I'd imagined him finishing Hymn to Freedom, pushing back his piano bench and taking a moment to welcome his audience and watch the city pass by. His left foot is turned inward just slightly; a hint of self-conscious acceptance of his public life. Oscar's hands are gently clasped with a single left forefinger on top. This is not a docile chorister's clasp nor the intertwined gesture of a business deal. I hoped to hint at Oscar's lifetime commitment to balancing artistic pioneering and personal vulnerability.

Ruth Abernethy
July 4th, 2010

The Queen Standing | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:58:00 GMT

The Queen Standing

The Queen and Choir | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:57:00 GMT

The Queen and Choir

After the Unveiling | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:53:00 GMT

After the Unveiling

With Oscar | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:52:00 GMT

With Oscar

The Queen & Oscar 2 | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:50:00 GMT

The Queen & Oscar 2

The Queen & Oscar | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:49:00 GMT

The Queen & Oscar

Sculptor Ruth Abernethy | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:46:00 GMT

Sculptor Ruth Abernethy

Commemorative Plaque | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:46:00 GMT

Commemorative Plaque

NAC Poster | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:45:00 GMT

NAC Poster

Oscar's Corner | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:45:00 GMT

Oscar's Corner

Protecting the Statue Prior to Unveiling | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:44:00 GMT

Protecting the Statue Prior to Unveiling

OSCAR PETERSON - SCULPTURE UNVEILING By PETER HERRNDORF | Tributes

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:38:00 GMT

OSCAR PETERSON - SCULPTURE UNVEILING

June 30, 2010 Le Café Terrace Ottawa

Brief Remarks
Peter A. Herrndorf
President and CEO
National Arts Centre

Thank you very much, Rosemary…and good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs. Je suis très, très fier de vous souhaiter la bienvenue au Centre national des Arts.

Before I say a few words about our friend Oscar Peterson… and about the magnificent Oscar Peterson Sculpture by Ruth Abernethy, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the wonderful Rosemary Thompson. Many of you know her from her days at CTV news, but since she joined the NAC last October, Rosemary`s done an extraordinary job for us. She's worked tirelessly on the Oscar Sculpture Project…and I`m told that she was very, very persuasive in getting her majesty to come here today for the unveiling. Please join me in an enthusiastic round of applause for Rosemary Thompson.

On December 24, 2007…the day after Oscar Peterson passed away, his wife Kelly asked Toronto producer Brian Robertson, former Ontario Premier Bob Rae and I to organize a memorial concert in his honour. We were honoured to be asked… and after two weeks of intense planning, hundreds of people from Canada and around the world joined together to create two hour concert that was broadcast live across Canada on CBC Radio.
Ce grand spectacle hommage à Oscar Peterson avait pour titre Simply the Best.

It was one of the most memorable, most emotionally stirring memorial services honouring a Canadian artist in Canadian history.

The concert took place at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on January 12, 2008. It drew an overflow crowd of 2,600 - many of whom had lined up at 5 a.m. in below zero weather to get free tickets - for an event that would take place 11 hours later. The outpouring of affection spoke volumes to us about the importance of doing something more...something permanent…that would forever pay tribute to the indelible mark Oscar Peterson left on the world of jazz ... and on the cultural fabric of this country.

In the months after, an Oscar Peterson National Committee was formed - to mount a national fundraising campaign to commission a life-sized bronze sculpture of the jazz legend. And we decided to give the Oscar Peterson sculpture a permanent home where so many Canadian artists and musicians have performed over the past 40 years - at the National Arts Centre…in the nation's capital. The National Committee was made up of Oscar's friends and admirers - many of whom are with us today …and each of them has played a critical role in making this project a reality. I'd like to take a moment to give them all special recognition. They are:

• The Honourable William Davis, the former Premier of Ontario;
• The Honourable Bob Rae, also a former Premier of Ontario and a member of Parliament;
• The Honourable Roy McMurtry, the former chief of Justice of the Ontario Court of Appeal;
• The Honourable Tommy Banks, a distinguished Senator…and an equally distinguished musician;
• Gail Asper, the driving force behind the Canadian museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg;
• Brian Robertson, the former President of the Canadian Recording Industry Association;
• Tim Armstrong, the former Ontario Agent General in Tokyo;
• Harvey Glatt, a pioneering figure in the Canadian music scene;
• Ross Porter, the President of Jazz FM 91 in Toronto;
• Denise Donlon, the managing Director of CBC Radio;
• Valerie Pringle, the former host of Canada AM - and;
• Kelly Peterson, Oscar Peterson`s widow…and a great champion of Canadian Jazz;

I'd also like to acknowledge leadership gifts from Allan Slaight…. from Fred & Anne Ketchen ... from the Hazel McCallion Foundation for Arts, Culture and Heritage…and from the TD Bank Financial Group. Their support put the fundraising campaign over the top, and the National Committee is tremendously grateful for their contribution. Thank you very, very much.

Finally, joining this impressive list of luminaries are literally hundreds of Canadian donors - from British Columbia to Newfoundland ... and international donors from the United States to Bermuda. They contributed donations ranging from ten dollars up to the thousands ... because they too believed that Oscar Peterson deserved this kind of honour. Please join me in an enthusiastic round of applause for all their support! [applause]

Mais par-dessus tout, c'est le talent d'une personne bien spéciale qui nous unit cette après-midi. Cette personne, c'est Ruth Abernethy, l'une des plus grandes artistes du Canada. Commissioning Ruth Abernethy to take on the project was a natural choice from the very beginning. Her best-known work (to date!) is the much-loved portrait Glenn (1999), a life-sized bronze statue of Canadian pianist Glenn Gould seated on a bench, and installed in front of the CBC's Glenn Gould Theatre on Front Street in Toronto.

For those of you who have had the great fortune to meet Ruth Abernethy personally, you'll agree with me when I say how wonderful it is to be in the company of someone so passionate ... and so full of joy. She's an artist of incomparable talent, of course… but she`s also a woman of enormous grace and eloquence. Someone who put great care and consideration in acknowledging Oscar's lasting legacy at every stage of her sculpture's creation. To tell you a little more about that journey, please join me in welcoming the remarkable Ruth Abernethy to the podium to say a few words.

With Rolf Studer of Oris | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:33:00 GMT

With Rolf Studer of Oris

The Oris Red Rotor | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:31:00 GMT

The Oris Red Rotor

Tourneau Time Machine NYC | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:31:00 GMT

Tourneau Time Machine NYC

Sebastian Pfirter photo of Ulrich Herzog & Kelly Peterson | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Sebastian Pfirter photo of Ulrich Herzog & Kelly Peterson

Sebastian Pfirter photo of Mr. Herzog Presenting watch to Kelly Peterson | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:30:00 GMT

Sebastian Pfirter photo of Mr. Herzog Presenting watch to Kelly Peterson

Presenting the Oscar Peterson Watch | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:29:00 GMT

Presenting the Oscar Peterson Watch

Paul Thurlow, Ulrich Herzog working at the special table | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:29:00 GMT

Paul Thurlow, Ulrich Herzog working at the special table

Oscar's Ties in the Oris exhibit | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:28:00 GMT

Oscar's Ties in the Oris exhibit

Oris Exhibit at Tourneau | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:27:00 GMT

Oris Exhibit at Tourneau

Oris Exhibit Inside at Tourneau | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:27:00 GMT

Oris Exhibit Inside at Tourneau

Jacques Muyal, dear friend & watch collaborator | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:26:00 GMT

Jacques Muyal, dear friend & watch collaborator

At Oris Conference | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:25:00 GMT

At Oris Conference

The Watch | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:50:00 GMT

The Watch

Oris Booth as Baselworld | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 10:48:00 GMT

Oris as Baselworld

BASELWORLD 2010 and ORIS OSCAR PETERSON L.E. WATCH | News

TelmaCosta — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:56:00 GMT

During the summer of 2007, Oscar Peterson and Oris, the Swiss watch manufacturer, began discussing the production of a limited edition watch in his honor. As a lifelong admirer of watches, and somewhat of a collector, Mr. Peterson was thrilled with this idea. Unfortunately he passed away before the design process began. The idea, however, did not die, and this year Oris launched the Oscar Peterson Limited Edition watch and the Oscar Peterson Chronograph Limited Edition. Kelly Peterson talks about that here:

In May, 2008 I visited the Oris watch factory in Hölstein, Switzerland and met with Oris Executive Chairman Ulrich W. Herzog and Vice President Philipp Käser and we decided to proceed with the production of a special Oscar Peterson watch. During the course of the next several months it was exciting to see the design process, and to see the many stages involved in creating a new watch.

Finally the watch design was completed. I went to Switzerland for the Oris Conference, a gathering of the international Oris representatives. This is the annual meeting for them to discuss the previous year as well as to present the new models for the coming season, in anticipation of Baselworld Watch Fair. The conference gave me an opportunity to see the Oscar Peterson Limited Edition and the Oscar Peterson Chronograph Limited Edition for the first time, and to meet the wonderful family of Oris.

My first impression of both watches was how elegant they are. The Oris Oscar Peterson limited edition watches have both been designed to incorporate many features, all of which are very personal to Oscar. It is an honor and a joy to see the thoughtful and careful process by which the designers paid tribute to my late husband. They asked for my input about what Oscar most liked in a watch, and then added their own very special touches. Each detail has a reason and a relationship to Oscar. The designs include Roman numerals, which he liked very much for watches. The Roman numeral VIII is in rose gold, signifying the eight Grammy Awards he received. The logo on the back of the watch case, reproduced beautifully, is the logo designed for him many years ago that he used on stationery and stickers for his road cases and luggage. The face of the watch is black piano lacquer, but with a grooved center, to suggest LPs. A favorite feature of mine is the hour indices: they are piano keys. What a wonderful idea - the brainchild of Product Development Manager Ralf Hilbich. The attention to detail even includes the thoughts behind the limited edition numbers: the first watch is limited to 1,925 pieces, signifying the year Oscar was born; the Chronograph is limited to 97 pieces, for the number of keys on the Bösendorfer Imperial piano, Oscar's piano of choice. Each watch comes specially packaged in a black piano lacquer box with a limited edition DVD and special certificate booklet.

After the wonderful day at the Oris Conference, we were all prepared for the start of Baselworld the following day. Watch collectors and aficionados will know about Baselworld (http://www.baselworld.com), but for me it was a brand new world (no pun intended). This is the biggest watch fair in the world. It is really a trade show for the manufacturers to show their new watch models for the coming season to the press and to their buyers and distributors. It is an incredible experience to be there. The watch fair lasts for eight days, but the display booths seem to be permanent stores. I was able to spend two days with Oris in their booth at Baselworld, learning more about watches and getting to know the Oris family, as indeed it is a family. It is a very busy time for them, as they meet with press and buyers from all over the world. I was able to join in on some of these meetings, enthusiastically sharing my excitement about the watch and, of course, about Oscar. It was an honor to be there. I am grateful to have been asked to participate, and even more grateful and honored to know the people at Oris, whose warmth, kindness and dedication shows in the watches. I am certain that Oscar would have been pleased and proud of these two watches created to honor him. I know he would have greatly enjoyed the Oris Conference and Baselworld. He certainly would have had a wonderful time with the people at Oris, and you would have undoubtedly seen both watches on his wrist at various times! An additional note: there was even a special tabletop made for the two tables in the Oris booth. Take a look at the photos. My thanks go to the entire Oris Hölstein team for their enthusiasm about the watch and about honoring Oscar Peterson. Special thanks to Ulrich Herzog, Philipp Käser, Rolf Studer, Martina Meier-Wiedmer, Rosa Park and Ralf Hilbich.

The watches will be making their debut this summer. In anticipation of their arrival, the Oris team in New York created a special exhibit at Tourneau Time Machine, on 57th Street at Fifth Avenue in New York City. The exhibit continues through the month of July, and is beautifully done. There will also be other Oris events worldwide, as the watches are proudly issued. The Oris website has a Store Locator so that you can find the watches locally wherever you are in the world.

There are some photos posted in an album on this website. If you are interested in seeing more of the Oris watches, and learning more about Oris, please visit their website as well. If you join MyOris, you will receive their newsletters! I hope you enjoy this as much as I have.

Links: www.oris.ch

http://www.oris.ch/collections/collections_detail.aspx?watchid=96&ln=[LAN]

http://www.oris.ch/collections/collections_detail.aspx?watchid=97&ln=[LAN]

Smedley & Oscar | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:08:00 GMT

Sammy & Oscar | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:08:00 GMT

The complete statue (minus patina on Oscar) | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Ruth Abernethy and Eric Knoespel (Artcast owner) at Artcast "chatting" with Oscar | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:07:00 GMT

Ruth Abernethy and Kelly Peterson peering through the piano at Oscar | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Oscar in raw bronze | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Piano prior to patina being applied | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:05:00 GMT

Petina being applied | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:04:00 GMT

Petina being applied | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Ruth marking spots for smoothing before patina is applied | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:49:00 GMT

Ruth Abernethy with "Oscar" in wax | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:47:00 GMT

Transporting | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:45:00 GMT

Wax Mould | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:45:00 GMT

Styrene Carving | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:42:00 GMT

Paper Patterns | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:42:00 GMT

Styrene Carving | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:42:00 GMT

Paper Patterns | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:40:00 GMT

Ruth's Sketch | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:39:00 GMT

Oscar Peterson "head" in clay | Photo

TelmaCosta — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:39:00 GMT

OSCAR PETERSON SCULPTURE: THE PERMANENT COMMEMORATION | News

TelmaCosta — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:22:00 GMT

On 30 June 2010 the Oscar Peterson Sculpture was unveiled in its permanent home at Canada’s National Arts Centre in Ottawa. The statue resides at what is now known as “Oscar’s Corner,” the corner of Elgin and Albert Streets. This life-sized tribute to Mr. Peterson was commissioned by the Oscar Peterson Sculpture National Committee and the National Arts Centre, and was sculpted by Ruth Abernethy.

In its dedication of the statue, the National Arts Centre stated:
“With this sculpture, Canada’s National Arts Centre proudly commemorates the masterful contribution of Oscar Peterson made during his sixty-five year career as a musician, recording artist, composer and mentor.”

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the statue, in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Mr. Peterson’s widow Kelly, their daughter Céline, and sculptor Ruth Abernethy, as well as members of the Oscar Peterson Sculpture National Committee, other members of the Peterson family, distinguished guests and an admiring public.

Following are some remarks by Céline Peterson about the event and its significance to her, and some photos of the work in progress. We will post photos of the sculpture and the unveiling ceremony soon.

Céline's words:

My entire life so far has been an experience unlike any other. I had a childhood that was one in a million. It has truly been a privilege for me to have had the people around me that I do, and of course to have the father that I was blessed with. Ever since his passing, I have been made very much aware of the fact that he was not just my Dad, but he was a music legend. To me, he was always just Dad, and his life and work was his music and performing. I have since been able to realize that he influenced way more people than just me, and in more ways than one. Having this statue is a spectacular way to remember him both as the amazing human being that he was, and the immeasurable musical genius that he was.

One of the most important things in my life, was always knowing that my Dad was happy. He was happy when he was spending time with his family. He was happy when he was taking pictures and learning about his cameras and expanding his knowledge on photography. He was happy when he was relaxing in Barbados or fishing at the cottage. However - he was always happiest when he was playing piano. It was his heaven, his comfort, and his way to express emotion. It truly warms my heart to know that he will forever be immortalized with the one thing that would always make him happy, no matter what.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE MAKING OF PHOTOS

Below is a video about the making of the statue:

Oscar The Chef | At Home

Microgroove — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:46:00 GMT

Those who have read A Jazz Odyssey, Oscar Peterson's autobiography, will know how much he enjoyed fine food. He wrote about some of his favorite restaurants around the world and the wonderful meals he enjoyed. You will also, no doubt, be aware of the great influence of Norman “The Gourmand” Granz.

What you might not know is that Oscar was himself a marvelous cook. His natural curiosity and enthusiasm for wonderful meals, not to mention his obvious gift for improvisation in all forms, led to many creative exploits in the kitchen at home.

Staples of Oscar's culinary store were the “comfort foods” he learned to prepare under the tutelage of his mother. These included red beans and rice, the best gravy you will ever taste and the dressing for the Christmas turkey. These were all parts of our traditional Christmas dinner. The only food preparation tasks I had for this meal were to make the cranberry-orange relish, green vegetables, mincemeat pie (with hard sauce) and apple pie. Oscar did the rest, with me as his sous chef. It was always a joyous time, preparing this meal together. Once Céline was old enough to help she joined in the preparations. Her job was to help stir the ingredients together, and to get whatever Daddy needed to add to the pot. With Nat King Cole's Christmas and the Singers' Unlimited Christmas albums playing, we chatted and cooked and sang along, sharing this special time together.

Oscar also taught me to prepare certain items and encouraged me to take over some of the cooking tasks. The gravy lesson was of the utmost importance. There was no “just mix some flour into the pan juices” gravy in our house. The flour needed to be browned slowly, with seasonings first, until it was a deep, rich brown. The fat was then added carefully to avoid lumps. Then water for the right consistency, seasoning adjusted before the final touch of cream. One of the secret ingredients (shhhhh….): chocolate chips. Just a few, just to add some sweetness. Then a few drops of hot sauce. Wow. It was wonderful. I must admit that there were several failed attempts before I finally achieved success. My heart would race as I carried the “tasting spoon” to the master for his opinion. The first time he said, “you got it this time!” I was over the moon with joy.

There were also times when Oscar would savor his meal at a restaurant so carefully, deciphering the ingredients that had been blended together, with the thought of recreating the dish at home. He also talked with restaurateurs and chefs about their creations, learning more each time. He was thrilled with meeting Paul Bocuse in Lyon and going into the master's kitchen. Bocuse carried young Céline into the kitchen himself, propping her up on one of the counters near the stoves!

As Christmas, 2007 approached we talked about the preparations for our Christmas meal. We usually prepared the red beans a few days ahead of time so that the flavors would blend and preparations on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day would be minimal. Oscar told me that he wanted me to make the red beans this year. “You're ready, now,” he said. “I can turn this over to you.” His confidence in me moved me greatly, although I did not know the irony of the timing until early morning on December 23.

***************************************************

Readers may be curious about the gravy recipe, but it is not one that can be written and shared; the gravy is made by taste, not measurements. However, the following is one of Oscar's own recipes for a sauce for crab, shrimp or other seafood or fish.

OSCAR'S CRAB SAUCE

Start saucepan with a tablespoon of olive oil.

Add 1 - 2 teaspoons each of basil and dill to the warm oil. Continue stirring as you add _ teaspoon of onion salt, _ teaspoon garlic powder and some freshly ground pepper.

Stir continuously on medium heat as seasonings blend together.

Reduce heat to low and add 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce and 2 tablespoons chili sauce.

Add another tablespoon (or two, to taste) of ketchup. Continue stirring over low heat.

Now add 2 -3 tablespoons of salad cream dressing and then carefully stir in about 3 tablespoons of coffee cream (or heavy cream). Keep heat LOW so that this doesn't burn.

In a small bowl mix _ cup of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Add a teaspoon of vinegar and still until smooth. Slowly add this to the simmering sauce. Add more cream or chili sauce as needed for color and taste. Simmer until sauce is thoroughly heated and becomes a rich, orangy color.

Add seafood of your choice to the sauce. When seafood is cooked, serve over hot rice, accompanied with steamed peas.

The accompanying photos are of Oscar in a playful mood while preparing his gravy. His joy was ever-present.

Oscar in tux | Photo

Microgroove — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:35:00 GMT