Hey Oscar. I listened to your music all over the world for all my life. Rest in peace and may your music live for ever. Philip (currently in New Zealand)

Oscar was one of the greatest musicians the World has ever seen. I was eighteen years old and attended the JATP concert at London's Gaumont State, Kilburn when the union ban on American musicians was lifted for them to play for the Lord Mayor's Flood Relief Fund in 1953. Legendary names such as Lester Young, Roy Eldridge etc were due to play; as was a pianist called Oscar Peterson (whom I'd never heard of). His playing amazed me . . . I didn't know it was possible to extract so much joy, passion and excitement from one pair of hands. I left that concert with a love of the man and his music which has endured and inspired me ever since. To his family I send my heartfelt condolence . . . his memory and influence on the rest of the World's musicians and fans will endure for all time.

A Rose is a Rose is a Rose. Fly angel, Fly

My love of jazz is inextricably linked to the music of Oscar Peterson. His prodigious technique, his rhythmic precision, and the class and quality with which he carried himself on stage in his performances can be summed up in one word - professionalism. His desire to continually improve his music, the courage he exhibited in revising his musical approach following his stroke, I cannot express enough admiration for this giant of the world of jazz who will be greatly missed by anyone who has ever enjoyed listening to great piano jazz music.

I have many memories of Oscar being a recording engineer on a few of his recordings for Pablo Records, a great honor for me which i have not and will never forget

Oscar I put on "in the wee small hours" right before proposing to my wife of 10 years. Not sure if she would have said yes without you. Will miss you dearly...

WHAT A GIANT AMONG MEN AND MUSCIANS. THE ANGELS MUST REJOICE TO ADD HIM TO THE MUSIC OF THE HEAVENS. MANY PRAYERS FOR HIS LOVED ONES. GOD SPEED, OSCAR.

Oscar. thanks for the heart rending concert in Dublin, Ireland 1975. Richard Farrelly.

oscar peterson, a gift to all of us..kiss ella for us and know your music will live on forever. the world is a better place because you were a part of it ..God bless

Thank you for bringing such incredible music into our home.

I never met him personally; however, his musical influence has been life changing. Rest in peace!

I had a brief personal encounter as a youth at Sleeves Music in the Spadina and King St. area of Toronto around 1981. He was looking at an 88 keys Fender Rhodes, and I was looking to purchase my first keyboard to be used in my church band. After my respectful greeting to him, he replied "How are you doing young fellow". As a young jazz pianist during my high school years in Toronto, I often enjoyed the honor of being compared to Mr. Peterson. As talented as I was, I knew then as I do now that there is no way I would come remotely close to achieving his technical skills and abilities on the piano. Oscar Peterson, was one of those rear individuals that had a channel to the almighty. He was a true gift to mankind and will alwasys be remembered. David W. Graham, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

My memory fit's well in my thoughts of Mr. Oscar Peterson some one I first heard in 1962 the album was the classic West Side Story the song I was fond of was Maria you must remenber I was only 11 or 12 yrs. old and at that time I was Motown crazy but my father had a nice jazz collections and he exposed me to jazz and it's has been a favorite of mind througth out the years.

You gave us such joy with your wonderful touch. Rest in peace, dear man.

I Had met him three times always an amazing time, he was a great person down to earth.

I Had met him three times always an amazing time, he was a great person down to earth.

I Had met him three times always an amazing time, he was a great person down to earth.

I Had met him three times always an amazing time, he was a great person down to earth.

Oscar Peterson played the piano with the speed of light. It frequently sounded as though there were another pair of hands on the 88 freeway. No key was neglected when he did his laying on of hands. Oscar and the piano became one. He is not gone, just unseen. He has given and will continue to give so much. Let us mourn and then, let the music play, He would want it that way...Don't you agee? Healing Season

I have such great childhood memories of listening to Oscar Peterson with my Day who simply loved him...rest in harmony!

ONE OF THE GREATEST PIANISTS I'VE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF ADMIRING! YOU'RE MISSED, OSCAR! WILLIAM L. ROVENTINI

They say the right hand is ruled by the brain and the left hand is ruled by the heart. Mr. Peterson had both. I have fond memories of sitting at the bar in Toronto's Town Tavern and being enraptured by the Trio that had Ed Thigpen on drums with the great Ray Brown on bass. Thanks guys, although I should have been hitting the books.

I would like to say that the Oscar Peterson's piano magic touched my heart and ears many years ago when I first heard him playing. So much so that he inspired me to learn some of his pieces for my audition to the York University music programme. As a high school music teacher, I always ask my students if they know that Canada has has one of the Greatest jazz musicians living right here in Mississauga!. Of course, the students have never heard of him, so I play some of his tunes for them so that he can touch their lives too. The silence left behind by his passing, is deafening to my ears. I will truly miss his musical magic. Vic Kowalenko

It's so sad to see each year many of the greats passing away and in comparison to today's jazz talent, you cannot beat the old school of jazz through melody, passion, devotion, understanding and character... artists like turrentine, morgan, mobley, blakey, rich, baker and alike all shared that warmth to the audience... music from the soul, as today it seems music from the mind, with big ego's and audio art..... shame

How sad to hear of the passing of this great pianist. Sincere condonences to his family. Thank God his music will live on forever.

He gave me so many wonderful moments. I do hope he gets to rest in peace now.

I have loved Oscar ever since my father have shared his stories with me when he use to play with him in 1947-49 (Ben Johnson Gutiarist)at the Alberta lounge in Montreal.My heart goes out to all his family and I will never forget you Oscar. May God be with you.

I was very lucky to grow up in a home where the sounds of Oscar Peterson were heard almost daily. He has always been my musical inspiration and I am greatly saddened at his passing. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family.

I have been an admirer of Oscar Peterson ever since I saw him in "Oscar Peterson presents" on BBC TV.in 1975 - one memorable episode was when he interviewed and played with Count Basie.I enjoyed his playing style immensely and loved the humming, which he did throughout the song.His music will be appreciated forever -May the good lord grant him peace!

I first saw Oscar Peterson In York with Jazz at thePhil in the 50's and again in Leeds. I also saw him with Ella and many times since, on his visits to Great Britain. We'll never see or hear the likes again. He was a true STAR

I have had so much enjoment and admiration as a keyboard player listening to Oscar's music. May he never be forgotten.

My condolences to the Oscar Peterson family after their sad loss. Like the many millions of Oscar's fans, I have had the honour and pleasure of seeing him play in various towns and cities throughout the world. (Mine being London, UK) Through the wonderful musical talent of this genius, his immortality is guaranteed. "Thank you, Oscar." Len. (UK

Listening to Oscar Peterson play is total inspiration for practicing Czerny's finger exercises to perfection. Oscar was the personification of a brilliant pianist!

I grew up with the kids, for a while Norman was a very good friend life moves on He now works with my wife 40 years later To Normam and the family We will miss him Jim Twitchin & Family

My admiration for Oscar Peterson launched my career in professional music-making in composition, performance and teaching. We owe him a huge debt of gratitude for all he gave us. He was a legen and his spirit will live on way beyond our years....Thank you for being such an amazing inspiration Oscar.

An incredibly talented pianist!!

Oscar and his music will never be forgotten...his most energetic performances, his outstanding speedy fingers, my idol in the jazz field, will remain an icon, forever. He is not just a jazz pianist, a genius who enables to produce improvisations of his own, brilliantly....I feel honoured to have heard, loved and known...his kind of jazz.

A huge fan from the first time I heard Oscar, I finally attended a live performance a few years ago at Jazz Alley in Seattle. The performance left us in a reverent state of awe. I mentioned to our waitress that Oscar and I both shared the last name of Peterson and that I was going to name a son after him, but ended up having two girls (Oscarette didn't quite resonate as well). I asked her if she could get an autograph for me and she responded by saying he would greet anyone interested after the show. He was gracious enough to meet every last fan in a personal setting, sign autographs, and chat briefly. I felt as though I was sitting on Santa's knee. His performance and dignity are stuff of legend. His music lives with us.

I am from Romania,and as you know ,jazz music was kind of taboo for many years..anyway,first time i heard Oscar Peterson,it was 14 years ago,in Toronto .Words cannot express what a great experience i must have had..I kept Oscar Peterson in my life,since,and i always will.Like many others,i am proud to say that this great man is one of my heroes,and he will always be remembered as the greatest Jazz Pianist of all times!!Thank you for the music,Oscar!

I was only 17 years old when I saw Oscar Peterson at the Sutherland Lounge in Chicago and I remained addicted to him and music forever.He was simply the greatest and was the standard for Jazz Piano..

I had the honour of meeting Mr. Peterson through my friendship with Ken Hemmerick. His commanding presence and unequalled musicianship will always live on in my memory and heart. His passing in this season is especially poignant to me because I listen to the Canadiana Suite c.d. (LOUD) every Christmas Day as part of my annual celebration. I have done this for years and highly recommend it. Canadians have lost a towering inspiration. My sincere condolences to Mr. Peterson's family. sincerely, Richard Baker, Victoria, B.C.

Oscar Peterson was my all time Hero of the Jazz Piano. I first heard his recordings in my early teens and was inspired by not only his speed and facility but his impeccable technique. His double handed octave soloing incredible. The speed, the swing, the choice of notes. I will always miss my greatest hero. I remember hearing stories of Art Tatum coming to clubs to hear Oscar play. What an incredible pair those two must have been. No one can even come close to either of them and probably never will in the depth they both had in Jazz. They were and will be the most incredible Jazz Pianists of all time. I am honored to have been influenced in my lifetime by Oscar Peterson.

I was a freshman at Ohio State University in 1964 when I purchased my first Oscar Peterson album, We Get Requests. SInce then I have purchased just about everything that Oscar recorded. My favorite has to be the London Concert. His renditions of Emily, I Get ALong without you very Well, Hogtown Blues, actually all of the tunes is a fantastic work. I never get tired of listening to that album. He will be remembered by me and my children who were also saddened by his death.

As a youth and aspiring pianist growing up in a small farming community in central Alberta, I'd always been encouraged by my father's jazz leanings. He'd exposed me to the likes of Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James and of course Oscar Peterson. At the age of 12 I managed to secure third row tickets to a performance of Oscar Peterson, Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald in 1975 at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton for my Dad and I. He had no idea about the concert until I informed him of the 90 minute drive we'd have to take on a Wednesday afternoon, I believe, to be there for the concert. My mind races back to that live performance and what an enduring stamp it has left on me and my musical interests (jazz to blues to fusion) since then and the encouragement I've provided my three daughters in their musical exploits. A truly wondrous Canadian Ambassador has been lost and will always be remembered in my heart for a truly special moment I was able to share with my Dad.

I GOT IT BAD AND AIN'T THAT GOOD was one of my favorites by Oscar Peterson and I dont think It Got the recognition that it was due. Maybe Im a skeptic but I love this man's sound and it gave me a thrill watching his fingers do the walking acroos the keys of the piano..

If there was ever a better jazz pianist than Oscar we have not found him. There was no performer who earned more respect among his peers. The cleanest technical fluency married to a an incredible creative facility.

Oscar was the pianist that brought me to the Jazz when I was a little kid. Listening to his music brings great joy and memories to childhood. He is also the name-giver for one of my sons. Gott segne Dich, Oscar.

The Oscar Peterson Trio performed at the Ontario Place Jazz Festival in the 1980's. He was in good company with Buddy Rich and Jaco Pastorious performing earlier that day. Oscar was the closing act and to this day I consider that concert to be the best concert performance I have experienced by anyone. Oscar and his band were master chefs cooking up the finest music I have ever heard. I'll never forget that night.

Oscar Peterson was the very very best. After Art Tatum was gone, there was just Oscar. He was the greatest influence on virtually every great jazz pianist I've known. The standard he set, of technical perfection, classical mastery, depth of swing, subtlety of touch...is THE standard today and I don't see it changing any time soon. To say he will be missed is a massive understatement---though his influence is so profound, we will be hearing him forever.

he was second to none. we will never see his likes again