Publisher's Synopsis
Oscar Peterson, the young man from Montreal's St Antoine district, became an internationally known artist while still in his twenties. In this wide-ranging biography, critic and lyricist Gene Lees examines the life and motivation of one of the world's greatest jazz pianists -- a brooding genius who sought constantly to explore all the possibilities of his instrument, and who is still engaged in that process of discovery today. Originally published in 1988, this book has become a classic. In this updated edition, Lees takes his readers through the end of the twentieth century, examining the repercussions of Peterson's stroke in 1993, the controversial cancellation of his Swing Magic tour in 1999, and his on-going war with the critics. Richly detailed, and written with an anecdotal exuberance that recalls the best jazz improvisation, this is a must read -- for jazz lovers, of course, but also for those interested in the life and career of an exemplary Canadian.
