By Barbara White

It's almost hockey season. The pre-season games are already being played and I am already hoping to see my team win the Cup. No, don't check to see what web magazine you have found yourself reading. This is All About Jazz and I am getting to the jazz part now. Hockey season reminded me of Canada and that reminded me of my favorite Canadian contribution to Jazz music, namely Oscar Peterson.

Wasn't that a swell segue…?

If you are already familiar with Oscar Peterson, you are saying "Yeah!' If you are not familiar with him let me be the first to recommend that you make every effort to correct that oversight A.S.A.P. And Oscar has a great discography to choose from.

Oscar Peterson grew up in Montreal. His first piano teacher was his father. His sister Daisy took over teaching him more advanced technique. Daisy ultimately became a renowned piano teacher. Daisy and Oscar studied with Hungarian-born classical pianist Paul de Marky.

In high school, Oscar played piano in a band and won an amateur contest sponsored by the Canadian Broadcasting Company. The CBC was so impressed they gave Oscar his own weekly fifteen-minute show. The show gained him notoriety in Canada and soon he was playing regular gigs all over Montreal and other Canadian cities.

Ultimately, Peterson moved to the U.S. under the urging and encouragement of Count Basie. It looked as if everything was going to come easy. Almost immediately after he arrived in the United States, Peterson got a concert booking at Carnegie Hall. Success seemed assured.

But real success didn't fall into Peterson's lap. Instead of streaking like a musical comet through the heavens of American Jazz, Oscar was almost forgotten. He formed a trio that included bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herbie Ellis. Even though his trio was considered one of the best in the business, they struggled to gain the public's attention. They had a loyal following in their home base of Chicago, but that didn't translate into national fame.

After a few years, Ellis left the group and Ed Thigpen joined them playing drums. And finally their career did take off. The trio toured the country gaining rave reviews and new fans everywhere they appeared. Fans snapped up albums as quickly as the Oscar Peterson Trio could put them out. And they put out plenty.

At last, in 1968, Ray Brown tired of the road retired settling in California. Occasionally he was persuaded to come back and join Oscar on the road. Ed Thigpen retired that same year. Oscar continued to work with a variety of performers from Louis Armstrong to Count Basie.

In 1993, a severe stroke, left Peterson partially paralyzed. He had completely lost the use of his left hand. No one expected Oscar to play again. But, to everyone's great relief, two years of therapy gave Oscar back the use of his hand. He began performing again and he is still bringing his wonderful music to people around the world.

It would be impossible to exaggerate Mr. Peterson's talent. But don't take my word for it, hearing is believing. If you want to add some Oscar Peterson to your collection, I recommend two discs in particular Night Train and Count Basie Meets Oscar Peterson.

The original recording of Night Train was done on December 16, 1962. The year was one of the best for Peterson and his trio and the album was a great Christmas present to jazz fans. On the original vinyl there were eleven tracks including, "Night Train", "C-Jam Blues", "Georgia on My Mind" and "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) just to name a few of my favorites.

As promised this is a collection of blues tunes. Peterson has the genre completely in hand. He highlights the stark harmonic vocabulary with true understanding. His improvisational leads show his complete understanding of the soul of the blues. And the inclusion of other more jazz oriented tunes like I Got It Bad… just adds spice to the mix.

Ray Brown on bass and Ed Thigpen on drums are the quintessential back up for Peterson. They match his every mood to perfection. These two guys can match Peterson's skill level too.

To fill the CD, additional tracks, previously unpublished were added. I especially like one of the out-takes of Night Train. You get some insight into what pleases Oscar Peterson himself.

The second and equally wonderful album I would suggest you add immediately to your collection isCount Basie Meets Oscar Peterson. What could be better? On one hand you have Oscar Peterson a man who has lightening fingers and can fly over the keys. On the other hand you have William "Count" Basie, legendary for his thrifty use of notes and his understated casual style. Many have said that the notes Basie didn't play were as important as the ones he did play.

The blending of these two magnificent players is wonderful. Their mutual respect shines through every note of this album. You can hear how much they are enjoying themselves. and, believe me, the feeling is contagious.

And backing the two giants you have Ray Brown on bass, Freddie Green on guitar, and Louis Belson playing drums. These guys are the best in their field and it shows.

So now you know where to begin your Peterson collection. And once you have begun you won't be satisfied until you have it all. But whatever you do, don't wait another minute to treat yourself to the music of the reigning king of jazz piano.