My first hearing of OP was in college. A musician friend of mine at the college I attended (incidentally where the jazz vocal group Take 6 began--Oakwood University) played a tape of Oscar backing the Singers Unlimited. The cut was "Sesame Street". That summer I purchased a copy which I still listen to till this day. Since that time I have purchased numerous recordings of OP and listened intently. I have read biographies, and articles about OP. I was hoping to hear a live performance but never had the opportunity. I did however, hear Mcoy Tyner and Monty Alexander live. The fact that OP embodies the sounds of Thelonius Monk, George Shearing, Erroll Garner, Teddy Wilson, Bill Evans, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum and others to produce that eclectic sound is what constitute his greatness. I did manage to adopt his trademark pentatonic right hand runs (far cry from many of his double handed runs). He will remain one of the greatest pianists of all time, only to be rivaled maybe one day by Benny Green, ElDar Djangirov, or Gonzalo Rubalcaba. May his soul rest in peace!

I became a fan of OP rather late in (his) life (after seeing a TV broadcast on his commissioned Easter Suite) and was lucky enough to attend five of his performances between 1998 and 2006. After moving to California in late 1997, I discovered that Oscar was a fairly regular visitor to the state, and I saw him perform at Yoshi's (Oakland) the next year (on my birthday) and three years later at the Hollywood Bowl [also on my (40th) birthday!] Both occasions were incredibly memorable and involved me "sharing" OP with some of my best friends (jazz "novices") whom I hadn't seen in quite some time. I also saw him perform twice at the Blue Note in 2004 or 2005, the second performance being one that my parents also attended. Great art should be shared, and Oscar created masterpieces I relished sharing with the people I care about. The final time I saw OP was at the 2006 Monterey Jazz Festival, where following his performance he shared the stage with 80-something year old Hank Jones. I'd like to thank Mr. Peterson's family for the sacrifices they made in order that the world could enjoy this one-of-a-kind performer.

Yesterday I heard Diana Krall in concert for the first time. She told the story that she met Peterson, and even played the piano in his house. I was thrilled to hear that and we could see that Peterson influenced Dians' playing. Solfala1851 I enjoyed Diana's concert very much. While I was in my twenties I had the chance to see Peterson in concert in Zurich Switzerland. It was absolutely fabulous. I was lucky as well to see Eroll Garner, and the great lady Ella Fitzgerland.

My father went to see Oscar Peterson when I was a baby - probably 1968 or 1969 in Westcliff-on-sea in Southend in the UK. He was late for the concert and parked where he could find and had the embarassment of having his registration given out over the theatre's PA system as he blocking Mr Peterson's car from entering (a Rolls Royce as he remembers). Anyway he remembers it as a marvellous concert where he had a superb view of the keyboard. Whilst growing up I enjoyed a lot of exposure to Jazz piano - Peterson, Garner, Evans, Tatum etc with the result that I subconsciously became a fan and particularly so of the 1964 'We get Requests' album and in especially 'Corovado' on that album. Sometime in the late 90's Oscar was due to play the Barbican in London and I booked tickets for my father and I but the concert was cancelled due to Oscar's ill health and sadlyI never got to see one of my idols. However he lives on in my CDs

While we only met briefly, Oscar has had--and continues to have--a profound influence on my life. I remember when I first heard him on record. This, I said, is what music is supposed to be. Right then I decided to try to emulate this great man. Little did I know what relentless work and what beautiful experiences would come. I will never achieve musically what Oscar did. However, just wanting to do so raised my commitment, my playing, and my life. I share (with probably many of you reading this) the countless hours at the keyboard, trying to educe the right sound and solve harmonic mysteries. Oscar was a musician, not just a wonderful pianist, and continues to be a source of inspiration and musical leadership. I owe him a great debt, unknown to him. I intend to pay this back by sharing what I know with the younger generation who have a great need in their life to produce music in Oscar's style--and who can commit to that challenge. Dave Brambert dbrambert@comcast.net