Oscar is INDEED the GOAT! Oscar, Ray and Ed are one of the best trios EVER!

As a classical trained pianist, I cannot get my head around how Oscar Peterson could put those scintillating notes so accurately and extemporarily? It is amazing!!! True! Classically-trained pianists would spend countless hours honing and drilling the same passage, time and time again, till we are pleased with the results, but some jazz pianists would spin endless improvisation on the spot, a la prima. Another amazing, head-scratching feat is the complexity of the syncopation, viz., extremely complex rhythmic lines “off-beats” With classical pianists replicating ad infinitum with the advent of the internet, it seems that the future of music would be for those who can improvise like the old masters!

Master class in rhythm playing, watch the drummer and bass player communicate throughout. The bass player can go on runs and play extended riffs because he knows the drummer has his back. They check in with each other throughout, lots of eye contact and tons of communication with just a glance. And, good grief, Oscar wiping his brow in the middle of amazing solos. 11 minutes and he plays new ideas and modes and styles. So much amazing musicianship between 3 guys.

Absolute mastery. Oscar didn't just play the piano, it was like it became part of his body. A monumental, inspirational musician and thank goodness we have so much of his music to still enjoy half a century later. Thank you for posting this, your expression at the end summed it up perfectly.

Oscar Peterson is the well that never, never ever runs dry.

What’s most impressive is not even his technique, however incredible it is, it’s how effortlessly he can create music on the fly, he improvises as easily as I breathe. Holy cow.

Glad to see someone reacting to jazz. I have been an Oscar Peterson fan for years. I was born and raised in Denmark and in the sixties Copenhagen was one of the jazz capitals of Europe. My friends and I would take the train or bus into Copenhagen to go a famed jazz club Montmatre, the American jazz saxphone player, Dexter Gordon was living Denmark and was part of Montmatre's house band. he played with my fellow Dane, the bassist Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen who later played with Oscar Peterson for years. I saw them both at Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland, Ca in 2005. You might want to check some recording from Montreux Jazz Festival with Occar Peterson and NHOP, especially the ones from 1975 through 77.

If an alien asked me to define humanity - everything we are, everything we've done throughout history - I would say "watch this, and then we'll talk" (Edit) - I should add, I didn't mean Maestro Peterson's skill alone, mindblowing though it is, but also the amazing synergy and understanding between three players, how human communication and creativity can exist together in this eruption of artistic expression. You can forget the invention of the wheel or landing a man on the moon or the pyramids of Egypt - THIS here (for me) is the true, everlasting legacy of the human race, encapsulated in 10 short minutes.

The most fascinating thing about Oscar is that, when you try to play the same notes, using the same fingering, rhythm and technique, it is just so difficult to achieve THAT feel. Oscars groove is just raw talent at its full potential. The phrase delivery is unbelievable.

C Jam Blues is a Duke Ellington composition. Hearing Ellington perform it gave me an even greater appreciation for what Peterson accomplished with this arrangement. This particular version still gives me chills in spite of how many times I’ve listened. I’ve spent the better part of a year leaning how to play the first two minutes of just the right hand. The left hand baseline is a level of perfection I can’t come close to. Even though I’ll never be anywhere near the same planet O.P. comes from, my playing and solo ability shot through the roof just making the attempt to play it. Hell, just learning the technique for how to play that first repeated C note was several lessons and days and days of practice all by itself.

My all-time favorite jazz pianist!

It is wonderful to see a young person getting into Oscar Peterson. My face must have looked the same way sitting in front of my Dad's Garrard turntable falling completely in love. I first heard the Westside Story lp, then my Dad took me to the Chicago Public Library and we watched this very 1964/65 concert film...this was 1980. i was 14 or 15. Great Post!!!!!

When God made Oscar Peterson, he threw away the mould and said, "I can't top that!" Oscar often spoke about Art Tatum and how good he was, but in my eyes Oscar was better than Art because Art was mostly about speed and filling spaces, whereas Oscar didn't try to cram everything in at once and he knew to pace the music with feelin like nobody else could. Thanks for posting this and respect to all black musicians because they were all the true architects, builders and generators of American music and deserve to be recognised for it all.

Peterson said his father told him if you are going to be a pianist, be the best. I think he proved that in spades! I often wondered what was going on in his brain while playing.

An effortless performance. Watch the audience people. If you need a lesson in Black american artistry here it is in all its abundance. Pay attention to the drummer and bass player as regular members of the team. An avalanche of music that never stops.

I saw OP at the Keystone in San Fran about 45 years ago in the mid-70s, and I sat about 10 feet behind the keyboard. Of course he was incredible, but what really impressed me was how he would reach for something on the keyboard and instead of one note, an entire bar of 16th and 32nd notes would come out. And it just never stopped nor slowed down, and of course he was playing stuff a lot more complicated than a straight blues. He was really like a force of nature, he was so strong.

I make a point of listening to this at least once a week just for the joy it brings. As a side note, the drummer is swinging his ass off, especially that relentless hi-hat. Love it!

Man this is the best reaction I ve seen in my life

I’m a piano player and I’m feeling it just like you. I saw him play in London a few times and it was mind boggling to be present.

I remember Oscar Peterson telling Count Basie how intimidated he was by Art Tatum. And Oscar Peterson was untouchable. He and Art are the best ever.

Maaaannnnn I promise Oscar got an extra hand we can't see 🤣🤣🤣 JESUS THE CHRIST!! Dope fam

I love oscar peterson You should do a oscar peterson series it would be LIT🔥🔥🔥

It's the effortlessness... it just flows smoothly... like he isn't even hitting the keys... jesus....

The G.O.A.T. If you haven't, you really need to watch his Boogie Blues Etude with Niels Pedersen (bass) and Barney Kessel (guitar) accompanying. If this one blew your mind, that one will take you to a different dimension.

Now let's see him striding. Incomparable.

I immediately subscribed. This is one of my favorite renditions of anything of all time. He is a masterful artist. you are the only person I found that reacts to this and for that: good on you. You've got another by me.

The breaks are impecceable.. nothing and noone swings like this.. untouchable,

The coordination between Ray and Ed to play off Oscar's changes is fabulous. Ray is pretty much calling the changes

Fantastic listening! Oscar was phenomenal

I watch this live performance of C Jam Blues at least five times a month

Maaaan 😳. Next react to his mentor Art tatum.

Technique aside, OP swung like crazy no matter what he played.

The left the perfect accompaniment to the right, which is the complete solo artist. It's like there's three instruments here. And he sings along as well!

It does my heart good to see a young person appreciate the mastery that is Oscar Peterson. But let's not overlook bassist, Ray Brown. Listen carefully and you can hear him actually playing melody.

He’s not from earth... just visiting for a time 😂😂😂

He was a human who practiced and practiced and was gifted with large hands.

Genius

Excellent discussion. I remember seeing him and Ella Fitzgerald on the same bill - first Oscar came out, then Ella, then both together. To say they almost tore the tent off the event wouldn't do them justice. Just Magniful !

Ray is sooo good

There was only one Oscar. The greatest…ever.

I'm so glad I found this site. Totally addicted to jazz!

Oscar is a Canadian from Montreal, He was shocked at the way American Blacks were treated compared his experience in Montreal , thus he wrote a song for the civil rights movement, It became the theme song for the movement

Simply Joy! Don’t miss the performance from Ronnie Scott’s, a Master Class for sure!

An absolute virtuoso

I didn't know there was any video of this trio my favourite jazz trio of all time.

It’s just heavenly

Wwaaw...I am so glad to hear this A Beutfule JAZZ as player's

Yes I know how hard that is!!!!! I can’t play at all but I love watching Oscar P and others tickle those ivories!!!❤️

Totally depressing, I never want to hear that piece again. 🤣 Totally, completely awesome!

Boy! That just welts up inya. Great

This is so amazing and swinging so much , no more to say ;-)

My humble 2 cents about Oscar. WE HAD ARTHUR TATUM, Knute, Scotty Joplin,Nat Cole,Duke,,Erroll Garner, and on and on, but, Oscar could play the New York City phone directory if you asked him to. The almighty gave him his gift and he climbed the mountain. Kent Vogel A.S.C.A.P

I’ve been waiting for a reaction vid to this doc. That progression at 6:01 went straight to church musician mode 😊 this is even different than his other recordings of it . Phenomenal 👍🏽👍🏽 thanks bro !

É um absurdo Peterson tocando, lindo demais , é outro mundo a música é assim, vi o Oscar Peterson tocando ao vivo duas vezes , quando o ouvi pela primeira vez não acreditei e quando o vi pessoalmente eu chorei de tanta emoção .

Let's here it for that upright bass player doing his job to perfection.

They're *all* incredible, tho. Oscar's genius was so brilliant sometimes that it kinda' blinded us to the rest of his trio... who always kept up with the guy!

Listen to Sandy's Blues by Oscar Peterson.

Tight!!

That left hand!!!

That says it all

Swinging like mad here!

My all time favorite piano player… THX. Gid Simone is still lis’ning;-)

Amazing! Classic Oscar ... !

It says something - the two GOATS of piano were from Canada - Oscar and Glenn Gould. You might want to do a treatment on Gould (Goldberg). Basically, Oscar and Glenn were coming at their respective musics with a similar intent- their views in light of the Cold War environment. BUT as a Canadian outsider.

That Block Chords brooo 8:36

Earth aint the only place with pianos. Oscar is not from here. ❤

Canada! Oscar Peterson and Glenn Gould!

So happy he stops and explains things here and there instead of just making faces like so many of these "reaction" videos.

Yes sir. The big O got three hands

Ray, Thag, Oscar, what could be better?

Black people had created the jazz music .Respect them.

Blues wizardry.

Damn. That was tight. T. Monk tight!!

That band is tight. It goes without saying OP is killings it

Have you heard Art Tatum yet? I put Oscar at the top of jazz pianists- mainly because I see Jazz as a democratic art form- the best players elevate those around them. Art Tatum was so otherworldly that he occupied his own space. Nobody could play with him- his thought stream was so peculiar to him.

Whaddya Say...??Mind boggling....

Those crashes I'm hearing must be the piano players upstairs throwing out their pianos...

It’s doubtful that even one pianist today could repeat what he played. One of his teachers was himself taught by Franz Liszt. What do you think of his 1961 recording of Tricotism in Chicago? My favorite piano jazz piece of all time.

Hahaha, ends the video by just loudly exhaling. Agreed

No fair. His piano has 200 keys.

If genius is doing something few or no one else can do then Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and Sydney Bechet were jazz genius's.To that short list must be added Art Tatum, Bud Powell and this jazz giant, Oscar Petersen. You will no doubt have other suggestions but these are my top jazzmen.......amongst others! In this Clip, note the huge support, ( and occasional lead), Brown and Thigpen give...a truly great and legendary trio of jazz! Is your name Jay?..you have been blessed with the ability to recognise and appreciate wonderful jazz, a talent few posses in the GenZ Age.....it will last you a lifetime; it has me. A wise jazz sage once said to me; "jazz is chess...everything else is draughts"...thinking of Beethovens 9th Symphony, I can't entirely agree, but I knew what he meant!

Not so much to get out of your facial expression in the corner. The enthusiasm about Oscar’s playing is the same for quite a few of us. But what about an analysis of what he is really doing: structure, chords, touch, fingering, use of wrist etc? That would be much more interesting for amateurs like myself.

your reaction is priceless

You need to listen to Oscar's recording of Wave by Jobim. You'll thank me.

Not even the Duke himself could play it like that....

When you realize that you can not play like Mr Oscar Peterson and only thing you can do is smile :D damn.. cool, oo yeah..

CAUTION: Listen as directed. Intentional misuse of Oscar Peterson by deliberately concentrating his solos while smoking dope can result in loss of consciousness or death.

Jay, this is s u p e r na t u r a l❤

Boogie Blues Etude ^

Is 4:41 a quote to Playmates by Johnny griffin???? 🤯

My first jazz album that I got from my uncle was Oscar Peterson 's Very Tall back in 1978 and I was hooked

the swingingest rhythm section ever.

oscar peterson had 2 brains

You need to reaction to Tommy Emmanuel

Is this a "Master Class"?

All the way back? This should be basic training these days. When I was coming up, we dint have YT, etc. as a reference. Some vinyl, some rare occasion reel-to-reel, but no visuals. Look up Mingus' live stuff, Monk, etc. For now, at least it's all on the YT. Find a way to pay $10/mo for 'Premium' and drop the rest. I'm not pimpin YT save for to get rid of commercials for stuff like this. oh, and play scales.... :) just saying.

Reaction video: 1. Play OP. 2. *sigh* Yeah, man. Nothing else to say.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ....OSCAR is the best!

Another one that makes me ashamed to profess I even know what a piano is. Truly, signed a keyboard player....

Thing is, this performance is playable…some of Oscar’s are not! In my opinion anyway