In 2015, a
special 3-CD set, Oscar, With Love, was released to observe the 90th birthday
of jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson (1925-2007). To honor her late husband,
Kelly Peterson assembled some of the most celebrated jazz artists in the world
to perform and record on the luminary's prized personal piano, then released
the recordings as a deluxe collector's edition shortly before the 10-year
anniversary of the celebrated pianist’s passing. Now, a deluxe limited edition
5-LP 180-gram box set, re-sequenced for vinyl, is slated to be released on
February 21 in a two-piece box with a 40-page booklet.
Oscar, With
Love not only features compositions previously unreleased by Peterson, but all
are performed in Peterson's home studio on his Bösendorfer Imperial piano.
Never has there been such a recording, various artists performing on the
personal instrument of a jazz legend. "Oscar cherished his piano,"
said Kelly Peterson, executive producer of the new recording. "It is one
of the finest and most unusual instruments in the world. Oscar handpicked it at
the Bösendorfer factory in Vienna in 1981. It has never been heard
publicly." Tremendous care was taken to fully capture the outstanding
performances of these great artists and the magnificent sound of Peterson's
Bösendorfer Imperial.
The set
showcases Oscar Peterson as a composer and includes the world premiere of
several pieces he wrote but never recorded; the compositions were retrieved
from Peterson's library for the project. Most of the music on the recording was
written by Peterson, or for him by some of his closest musical friends. It is
these friends and colleagues who performed on the recording. Together, these
musicians have won 30+ Grammy® Awards, Latin Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes,
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and several Juno awards.
The list of
participating artists includes some of the greatest jazz players in the world:
Chick Corea, Monty Alexander, Ramsey Lewis, Kenny Barron, Benny Green, Oliver
Jones, Makoto Ozone, Renee Rosnes and Bill Charlap. In fact, Corea wrote and
performed a new composition (called "One For Oscar") specifically for
the project. Additionally, the remarkable late composer/arranger and dear
friend of Peterson, Michel Legrand, contributed two performances to the
recording.
Other
notable contributors include pianist and vocalist Audrey Morris and
pianist/producer and good friend Lance Anderson. Morris, a long-time close
friend of Peterson's, has been a renowned member of the Chicago music community
for sixty-plus years. Anderson's performance of the blues tune written for him
by Peterson is among the compositions premiered on the recording.
Peterson was
known for his encouragement and support of young, gifted players. Oscar, With
Love has continued this tradition by showcasing some exceptional young players
-- Gerald Clayton, Hiromi, Justin Kauflin, and Robi Botos.
Although
primarily a solo piano recording, some performances are accompanied by
Peterson's long-time associate and friend, bassist Dave Young.
Internationally
respected Swiss engineer Blaise Favre recorded and mixed Oscar, With Love. The
recording sessions were co-produced by Kelly Peterson and Juno Award-winning
producer Lance Anderson, with Anderson taking the lead role as music producer.
"All of
the artists and contributors travelled to Oscar's home studio to be part of the
project," said Kelly Peterson. "I was overwhelmed by their respect
for Oscar. Each of them expressed how humbled and honored they were to be
present on 'hallowed ground' in Oscar's studio."
As executive
producer of this unique project, Kelly Peterson explained her intent is to
honor not only her late husband's legacy, but also the legacy of his dearest
friend, manager, impresario, and record producer, Norman Granz. Oscar, With
Love was originally released on her own label, Two Lions Records, in honor of
these two jazz giants.
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