OSCAR PETERSON CENTENNIAL CONCERT

John Clayton (double bass), Jeff Hamilton (drums), Sullivan Fortner (piano)

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of the legendary Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, a pianist and composer of Canadian origin and West Indian descent and one of the most important Jazz musicians for more than 60 years. Peterson, who performed at the Jazzaldia in 1975, died at the age of 82 in 2007, leaving behind an incomparable legacy that is as eternal as Jazz itself.

Recipient of numerous honours and awards (8 GRAMMY® awards, including a lifetime achievement award). Peterson, dubbed the “maharajah of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington, is one of the greatest pianists in the history of Jazz. He is also one of the most prolific pianists of all time, contributing his name and talent to over 500 recordings and more than 200 albums of his own.

Born in Montreal’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood, his immense talent, steely determination and deep love of the art caught the attention of the greatest Jazz promoter of the time and founder of Jazz at the Philharmonic, Norman Granz. After accepting an invitation to perform as a surprise guest at one of his shows, at Carnegie Hall, at the age of twenty-four, Peterson continued to tour with the group, performing with legends such as Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Roy Eldridge, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Lester Young and Lionel Hampton.

Peterson had an incredible ability to adapt his greatness as a leader and soloist when necessary to accompany other musicians and vocalists, doing so in a subtle and empathetic way, always listening to others. This made him a collaborator with many legendary artists and on hundreds of exceptional recordings.

Peterson’s legacy lives on with his music being taught in schools around the world. Thanks to the efforts of Kelly Peterson (representing the estate of Oscar Peterson), several recording projects have been launched, including three previously unreleased archival concerts, the dynamic solo piano project, Oscar, With Love, with 16 internationally renowned pianists performing his compositions at his home on his beloved Bösendorfer Imperial piano, and the world premiere of the Africa Suite, originally arranged by John Clayton, as well as several concerts in Canada and beyond. In 2025, he will celebrate what would have been his 100th birthday with a series of live concerts and exciting projects in the US and around the globe. These initiatives are enriched by the contributions of artists who Peterson inspired, including John Clayton, Jeff Hamilton and Sullivan Fortner, the three great musicians who will be performing at the Kursaal in a tribute to him.

John Clayton is an American double bassist, composer, arranger, and producer. With a Grammy© on his shelf and nine additional nominations, he has worked with artists such as Milt Jackson, Count Basie, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, McCoy Tyner, Yo-Yo Ma and Charles Aznavour, to name just a few. Clayton was the principal bassist int the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra from 1980 to 1984. In 1986, he co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and rekindled The Clayton Brothers Quintet.

Jeff Hamilton was born in Richmond, Indiana. He began drumming at the age of 8, attended Indiana University and later studied with John Von Ohlen. In 1974, he had his first big chance playing with The New Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. He then joined Lionel Hampton’s band until 1975, when he, along with bassist John Clayton, became members of the Monty Alexander Trio. In 1977 he joined Woody Herman and the Thundering Herd, with whom he made several recordings. In 1978, he joined L.A.4, with Ray Brown, Bud Shank and Laurindo Almeida. He recorded six albums with the L.A.4 . From 1983 to 1987, he performed with Ella Fitzgerald, The Count Basie Orchestra, Rosemary Clooney, and Monty Alexander. In 1988, he began his association with the Ray Brown Trio. From 1990 to 1995, he was also a member of the Oscar Peterson Quartet. Jeff has released several albums and toured with his trio, and with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Over his career, Hamilton has been on over 300 recordings.

Pianist and composer Sullivan Fortner started playing the piano from the age of four. His mother was the choir director of a Baptist church, and he began playing the organ there. At thirteen, he entered the prestigious New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Later, he studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and obtained a master’s degree from the Manhattan School of Music. Since then, he has won a GRAMMY award, released four albums as leader and worked with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, John Scofield, Chief Adjuah, Dianne Reeves, Stefon Harris, Theo Croker… At Jazzaldia we know his mastery for having performed on piano with Cecile McLorin Salvant in 2018 and in 2021.