When I was in high school and college, I used to go to Disneyland (I grew up in Southern CA) to see Count Basie play at the Carnation outdoor cafe along Main Street. He’d play for smallish crowds throughout the afternoons. Sometimes he had a band, sometimes he just played solo. A musician in his twilight years but still one of the world’s best.
As a budding musician, and aware of his history, I was pretty much in awe of the man.
Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and Bill Basie. Each of these giants of music left an indelible mark and continue to influence generations long after they’ve been gone. That’s one way to measure artistic greatness.
So right. Basie is often mischaracterized as a blues minimalist when in fact he’s in the same league as Tatum and Peterson with a less is more articulation with great respect for space, giving the listener room to anticipate and participate. Lucky duck re Disneyland!
My copy just arrived Friday, and I am still absorbing it. I agree with your assessment that this was a good period for Oscar. He was very much in a trio mindset. In the late ‘60s and into the ‘70s he seemed to be more obsessed with the piano than the music he was playing. And while his technique could be jaw dropping, it over stayed it’s welcome for extended listening. There are also two live sets from this period that have come out on the French label The Lost Recordings.
I just finished my late breakfast (I'm on vacation for a week) and read this great news. I didn't know that and I just ordered my set as a double-CD, which will be released on May 15th. It seems that this double-CD set is only available as a Japan Import. See the information from my favorite online store here in Germany: https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/jazz/detail/-/art/oscar-peterson-live-at-baker-s-keyboard-lounge/hnum/12647106?lang=en
Thanks also for the information about the Bakers Keyboard Lounge Thanks to Jazzwax, every day I learn a little bit more. 🙂👍
The recording is very crisp and clear! Also, OP does a sublime version of "Django" here.
OMG. I actually went there. I saw Ahmad Jamal and Chuck Mangione, as I recall.
Great music!
Thanks for making me aware of this new release.
When I was in high school and college, I used to go to Disneyland (I grew up in Southern CA) to see Count Basie play at the Carnation outdoor cafe along Main Street. He’d play for smallish crowds throughout the afternoons. Sometimes he had a band, sometimes he just played solo. A musician in his twilight years but still one of the world’s best.
As a budding musician, and aware of his history, I was pretty much in awe of the man.
Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, and Bill Basie. Each of these giants of music left an indelible mark and continue to influence generations long after they’ve been gone. That’s one way to measure artistic greatness.
🎼🎶🎵
So right. Basie is often mischaracterized as a blues minimalist when in fact he’s in the same league as Tatum and Peterson with a less is more articulation with great respect for space, giving the listener room to anticipate and participate. Lucky duck re Disneyland!
My copy just arrived Friday, and I am still absorbing it. I agree with your assessment that this was a good period for Oscar. He was very much in a trio mindset. In the late ‘60s and into the ‘70s he seemed to be more obsessed with the piano than the music he was playing. And while his technique could be jaw dropping, it over stayed it’s welcome for extended listening. There are also two live sets from this period that have come out on the French label The Lost Recordings.
Brilliantly put, Peter. It almost sounds as if he’s driving through a school zone with reduced speed limit signs. Nice and steady and coherent.
Dear Peter,
you're right. The french "The Lost Recordings Label" released the sets and they sound wonderful. I have both sets as CD version.
1) February 1961 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
2) April 1961 in Bremen, Germany
If I may, here's the link to the label: https://thelostrecordings.store/en/collections/oscar-peterson-trio?srsltid=AfmBOorjCGLQh2rpzXxRRwXjOL1oQjWr0ego5aVZ-KVmuQcSKgXHeiM5
Thanks for the heads up. I'm really enjoying this and would have missed it.
Art Tatum died in 1956 , so he must have chosen the piano at an earlier date.
I look forward to hearing this new release.
Thanks Richard. That came from Baker’s Keyboard Lounge’s own site. I should have checked. Should be early 1950s. Have fixed.