The special concert event Piano Master: The Oscar Peterson Story will play in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s The Appel Room on on February 22 and 23 at 7 pm and 9:30 pm, featuring six pianists with deep connections to Oscar Peterson who will perform a collection of the master pianist’s compositions, including some that have never been heard. The show will also include new originals written in Peterson’s honor.
Piano Master: The Oscar Peterson Story will feature NEA Jazz Master Kenny Barron, Afro-Cuban jazz legend Gonzalo Rubalcaba, rising stars Gerald Clayton and Ben Paterson and Oscar Peterson’s protégés Benny Green and Robi Botos. In addition to solo pieces, the pianists will also perform small group numbers with dummer Jeff Hamilton and guitarist Ulf Wakenius—each of whom spent years playing in Oscar Peterson’s Trio and Quartet in small groups led by Ray Brown, Peterson’s long-time bassist. The performance will also feature Brown’s main protégé and legacy-keeper, bassist John Clayton, who has also spent over 30 years co-leading the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Hamilton.
Vocalist Paul Marinaro will join on a couple of special tunes, highlighting the important influence the Nat “King” Cole trio had on Peterson’s own groups. The evening will be hosted by Oscar’s daughter Céline Peterson, who will provide rare and enlightening insight into her father’s brilliant mind.
A free pre-concert discussions will take place nightly at 6pm and 8:30pm. For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit jazz.org.
Single tickets can be purchased through jazz.org 24 hours a day or through CenterCharge at 212-721-6500, open daily from 10am to 9pm. Tickets can also be purchased at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Box Office, located on Broadway at 60th Street, ground floor.
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