James Pearson

A Musical Portrait of Oscar Peterson with the James Pearson Trio, celebrating the ‘Maharaja of jazz’. The term ‘legend’ can be bandied about rather too often in jazz circles, but there is no danger of over-estimating the status of Oscar Peterson. This year is both the centenary of his birth, and 50 years since he recorded his wonderful BBC special from the club when he was in the height of his musical powers. Oscar's music has a wealth of colours. It is virtuosic, fun, dramatic and beautiful. His playing had a 'silken fluency and propulsive swing which has transcended jazz fashions for half a century'. Oscar was also an eloquent man and was able to explain about some of the great piano techniques that he would use, such as Stride and parallel lines at breakneck speed. His influence on all jazz pianists is immense. The trio performing tonight all met Oscar whilst performing in Barbados. An encounter they will never forget!