Oscar Peterson

Canada, 1945–2007

Canadian pianist (1925-2007), among the most formidable technicians jazz has produced. Working mainly in trios modelled on Nat King Cole's, he fused swing, bop and blues into a style of overwhelming fluency and became one of the most recorded pianists in the music.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Oscar Peterson and 2 artists Oscar Peterson influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Oscar Peterson?

• Art Tatum — Tatum was the summit Peterson measured himself against - 'Tatum scared me to death' - and the source of the cascading virtuosity he built his own style on.
• Nat King Cole — Nat King Cole was the decisive early model: Peterson took the piano-bass-guitar trio format and the whole musical approach from Cole's group.
• Count Basie — Basie's spare, swinging economy is one of the swing sources Peterson names, and the opposite pole to Tatum in his playing.
• James P. Johnson — The stride of James P. Johnson is part of the older piano tradition Peterson absorbed before bop.

Which artists did Oscar Peterson influence?

• The Durutti Column — Peterson is among the pianists Reilly names as his real influences, in place of any guitarist.
• Herbie Hancock — One of the two pianists Hancock transcribed off records in high school, which is where the ear came from.