Keeping the Groove Alive takes a look at jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.the man behind the strive to keep the art form alive. from the be-bop of the 30s, the bands of the 40s, the trios and combos of the 50s and 60s, to the uncertain sounds of the new millennium.
Keeping the Groove Alive looks at the man who went from the local house band at the Alberta Lounge in Montreal to international acclaim. Oscar Peterson recorded and shared the stage with all the greats: Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Dizzy Gillespie to name a few.
There were bumps in the road along the way. Peterson married four times and blamed the failure of his first three marriages to the nature of his business. He also witnessed the clouded drug hazes and highs of his jazz heroes; yet, throughout Oscar learned to keep the faith. He loved his craft too much. Dubbed the "maharajah of piano" by Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson went on to become not only a jazz icon of the times but also one of the last brilliant virtuosos.
Join us in this personal and poignant journey about Oscar Peterson, one of the last ruling pristine kings of an art form that became an indelible part of jazz.
To purchase a dvd please contact Ken Hovey at 613.723.3316 ext 265 or khovey@gapc.com