Born on August 15, 1925, Oscar Peterson, CC, CQ, OOnt, rose to international fame as a jazz pianist and composer whose technical brilliance and expressive style set him apart. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he recorded more than 200 albums, collected eight Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy. His performances, numbering in the thousands, took him to concert halls around the globe. Admired by his peers, he earned the affectionate nickname “O.P.”, was dubbed the “Maharaja of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington and was celebrated within the jazz world as “the King of inside swing.”
Oscar Peterson began his formal musical education using the curriculum of The Royal Conservatory of Music. His first teacher was his sister, Daisy, who guided him through the foundational elements of piano and theory, using RCM materials. He later studied with Paul de Marky, a Hungarian classical pianist whose own teacher had studied with Franz Liszt. Through this lineage, Peterson inherited a legacy of virtuosity that would inform his dazzling technique and musical expression.
Peterson firmly believed that a strong classical foundation was essential for any musician. He often cited the importance of learning works such as Bach's The Well-Tempered Clavier and the Goldberg Variations as a pathway to mastering the keyboard. From this base, he believed, one could venture confidently into any genre.
In recognition of his extraordinary accomplishments, Peterson was named an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory in 2001. In 2021, the Conservatory renamed its community music school the Oscar Peterson School of Music, ensuring his name and legacy continue to inspire future generations.
Further extending his legacy, the Conservatory launched the Oscar Peterson Program in 2022. This tuition-free initiative provides underserved youth in the Greater Toronto Area with access to high-quality music training, ensemble experiences, private lessons, and performance opportunities in the world-class Koerner Hall.
"It was Oscar’s belief that music education is extremely important for every single person, regardless of whether they intend to pursue a career in music or not, and that his classical music training gave him his technical foundation.”
Kelly Peterson
(Oscar's spouse from 1987 until his death in 2007)
As part of the celebrations honouring Peterson's centenary,
a special series of concerts will take place at Koerner Hall on
October 23, 24, and 25. These performances, part of the
TD Jazz Concerts series, will feature renowned artists and young talent alike, showcasing the breadth of Peterson's influence across generations.
Peterson's impact on the world of music, popular culture, and on the mission of The Royal Conservatory, remains profound. His life reminds us that with dedication, discipline, and a strong foundation, musical excellence is boundless. We are honoured to celebrate the centenary of a Canadian icon and Royal Conservatory alumnus who truly changed the world of music.