[Dixielandjazz] Re: Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson (a/c Norman Vickers)

[patcooke at cox.net]

Listen to Oscar's "Basin St Blues" and "Jada" on the CD entitled "Tracks".

    Pat Cooke



> 
> From: "Tito Martino" <tmartino at terra.com.br>
> Date: 2004/06/22 Tue PM 02:51:00 EDT
> To: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Re:  Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson (a/c Norman Vickers)
> 
> Norman Vickers stated correctly:
> <<<Listmates:  Oscar Peterson doesn't play OKOM.  However, he is a giant
> who
> cannot be ignored.  I want to share these thoughts and the NY Times
> commentary from yesterday with you.  ..............>>>>
> 
> Yes Norman,
> 
>  you're right, Peterson don't play OKOM regularly; but I would like to
> state firmly that he knows and likes and plays PERFECT OKOM piano,
> whenever he wants or is solicited to.
>  
> I even think he only can do what he does (marvelously) because he can
> play OKOM. 
> 
> That he can play OKOM style piano I can affirm with assurance because he
> played whith my Traditional Jazz Band in May 1972, sporting a rolling
> stride piano style that let me stoned petrified gazing at his hands.  He
> had to shout to me: -Play, man, play! He was sitting with our Band at
> his own demand, as was told to me afterwards by the american consul
> which was present at the music club here in São Paulo where that
> encounter happened.  
> 
> Peterson just had started "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" and we
> joined with the trumpet of Austin Roberts, trombone of Onofre Cardoso,
> bass of Daniel Grisanti, banjo of Reynaldo Mayer, washboard of Sacha
> Kliass and my clarinet.    Afterwards we played an impromtu Blues in Bb,
> Peterson started it in perfect OKOM style 4/4 beat, playing very
> traditional phrases interwoven with his particular runs and
> embelishments. . 
> 
> This fantastic moment in my jazzman career was fortunately recorded in
> an amateur taperecorder. It's one of my most cherised memories archives
> and a proof that Oscar Peterson could be, whenever he wanted, a stride
> pianist in the tradition of Waller, J.P. Johnson, or Lion Smith. No
> dispute about it. 
> 
> My conclusion: all the GREAT and respected "modern Jazz" players are
> great in their particular "modern" style because they know how to play
> OKOM. 
> 
> Tito Martino
> São Paulo Brazil
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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