In Memory of Oscar Peterson who passed away December 23, 2007
call HART crazy .. but
When I grew up, I took piano lessons. I went as far as actually taking Grade 8 Royal Conservatory. After that, I felt that it took more time for me to practice than I was getting better and then concentrated on the Theory side of music. I remember a “grade V” but by the time I was in my 20’s and going to University, I went a different direction. Firstly, I tried to capitalize on getting “easy credits” by taking music courses at University, and then I just concentrated on playing keyboards in local bands and friends’ jamming in basements, and outdoor “pit parties” out in the country where I had lived with a few buddies of mine.
Two piano players had a great influence on me … The first was Fats Domino. who I actually met while working at a local cabaret here in Winnipeg (on Kennedy Street for other Winnipeger’s who remember that) and Oscar Peterson. My piano teacher and I ended up to be great acquaintances, and somewhat friends .. and although he tried to show me some of the greater classical pianists that would come to our Concert Hall .. I would make for him some “cassette” copies of both Fats and Oscar songs that I made from my record collection and he even appreciated both (I believe).
