Upon my return from the tour of Japan, I was summoned to Ottawa to receive an award from the University of Ottawa, honoring me as a Distinguished Canadian Leader. It was a marvelous evening, which was enhanced for me, selfishly speaking, with the opportunity of visiting with dear friends of mine, our former Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his wife Aline, who were seated at the same table as yours truly. During the evening, before the ceremonies, we were able to trade stories and renew our friendship. I was being honored along with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, Beverly MacLachlan, and Lieutenant-General Romeo Dallaire, which was an honor in itself. I listened interestedly to the acceptance speeches that preceded the award presentation to me.

The ceremonies were being held in the National Gallery of Canada. Due to the fact that I use a wheelchair quite a bit of the time at this point in my life (and due to my bout with arthritis), they were kind enough to build a ramp leading to the stage, for my convenience. When the time came due for the presentation to me, they notified my table that I would be the next recipient, at which time Prime Minister Chretien declared, "I'll push Oscar's chair!" I embarrassedly tried to dissuade him from this venture, but he insisted. And so when they called my name, he proceeded to push my chair up a ramp that must have been at least 25 to 30 feet long, uphill to the stage. I still can't believe this took place! The former Prime Minister of Canada pushing my wheelchair up this ramp to the podium! We have been friends for quite a few years now, and have admired each other's accomplishments in our different fields. I don't know what made me do it, but for some reason when they gave me the hand mic and the applause from the audience subsided, the first words out of my mouth were, "And people say you just can't get good help these days!" There was a roar of laughter, which immediately made me realize what I had blurted out unknowingly, however being aware that Prime Minister Chretien has a great sense of humor, I knew that he would take it in the joking manner it was intended. People were still giggling when I came back to the table, and embarrassedly took my seat next to him and his wife. I love Aline and Jean Chretien, and have been an admirer of Prime Minister Chretien's political prowess over his terms as Canada's Prime Minister. I can only say that I have been so comfortable with our friendship that I can still laugh at this unrehearsed quip. Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister, for your sense of humor.

From left to right: Rector of the University of Ottawa Dr. Gilles Patry, Aline Chretien, Kelly and Oscar Peterson and former Prime Minister Jean Chretien at the Distinguished Canadian Leadership Awards.
Photo courtesy of Robert Lacombe

Although the word genius over the past years, and most certainly in the Jazz field, has been bantered about sometimes superfluously, there is one name in my opinion that totally epitomizes the true meaning of this salutation. I am posting a copy of a small tribute that I wrote about my biggest influence and idol in the jazz field, Art Tatum. I have asked another musical giant, Hank Jones, to read it in my stead at the induction ceremony into the Ertegun Hall of Fame, in New York City. I have intended in the past while to devote a segment of my Musical Moments to my idol, Art Tatum, and still intend to do so. In the meantime, allow me to enclose the tribute that Hank Jones generously agreed to read in my absence at the ceremony (due to my tour of Japan). Needless to say, it will not be difficult for me to enlarge on the small tribute I paid to Art that night, and I intend to do so in the hope that any young pianists following me will get the impetus that they may need, and that I have had just from hearing and knowing this man, to become better jazz pianists. I'll leave you now to fulfill my own tribute intentions.
TRIBUTE TO MY MENTOR
(read on September, 30, 2004)

There aren't any words that I can utter that will ever fully describe the immensity of Art Tatum's talent. I truly feel that he was touched by God in a special way, unknown to all of us. Although I feared him when I first heard him in my earlier childhood years, I grew to understand, the more that I listened, that God had laid His hand upon this man. To me Art Tatum was not just another Jazz pianist, but in reality an extension of the instrument itself, enabling him to produce musical improvisations that few, if any, players, including yours truly, could envision themselves inventing. Musically speaking, he was and is my musical God, and I feel honored to remain one of his humbly devoted disciples. May our God bless you, Art.

©2004 Oscar Peterson