The Oscar Peterson Quartet

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on August 15, 1925, pianist and composer Oscar Peterson was one of jazz music’s most influential musicians. The 7-time Grammy winner released over 200 recordings during his 62 years in the music business and played with all the major jazz artists during his lifetime. Dubbed the ‘Maharaja of the Keyboard’ by Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson's dextrous fingers and extraordinary talent made him one of jazz’s most unique musicians. Discovered by music impresario Norman Granz in 1949, Oscar Peterson went on to perform with Count Basie, Herbie Hancock, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald, and quickly became a star within jazz circles for his lightning fast playing and improvisational skills. Alongside guitarist Herb Ellis and double bass player Ray Brown, his multi-ethnic trio broke down racial barriers and won huge critical acclaim for their experimental swing and free-form be-bop styles. While membership would change over the years, his work with his trio is what Oscar Peterson is best known for. However, he also made several albums with the lesser-known Oscar Peterson Quartet. The group’s first line-up featured the pianist joined by Ray Brown (bass), Barney Kessel (guitar), and Alvin Stoller (drums). Their self-titled 10-inch debut – later retitled Oscar Peterson Quartet #1 - was released in 1952. The same line-up released Album #2 in 1954. The quartet collaborated with Benny Carter and His Strings on the album Alone Together (1956) and with Buddy De Franco on the album Buddy De Franco and the Oscar Peterson Quartet (1958). By the time of the release of Oscar Peterson Plays Count Basie (1956), drummer Alvin Stoller had been replaced by Buddy Rich. The Oscar Peterson Quartet’s musical output dropped drastically with only a handful of releases over the next few decades. The group’s line-up on later recordings included Joe Pass (guitar), Louis Bellson (drums), and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pederson (bass). Oscar Peterson died on December 23, 2007.

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