Oscar Peterson Quartet August 22, 2006

Oscar Peterson, widely heralded as the greatest living jazz musician and one of the top jazz pianists of all time, is known for phenomenal technique, speed, and dexterity and an unrivaled ability to swing at any tempo. After emulating the piano styles of Teddy Wilson and Nat King Cole as a young player and gaining some notoriety in his native Montreal, Peterson went on to concert and recording careers that placed him alongside a who’s who of legendary jazz figures including Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins, Charlie Parker, Ben Webster, and many others. Various versions of Peterson’s famous trio (among the best selling jazz groups of all time) have included guitarists, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel and the incomparable late bassist Ray Brown. Fully recovered from a mild stroke suffered in 1993, Peterson continues to play to sold-out audiences at concerts, clubs, and festivals throughout the world with his quartet: Alvin Queen, drums; Ulf Wakenius, guitar; and David Young, bass. This engagement at Birdland, a New York exclusive, will celebrate Peterson’s 81st Birthday.

Official Website: http://www.birdlandjazz.com/schedule.html