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1925 – 2007: A Story Inspired by Oscar Peterson’s Childhood
1925 – 2007: A Story Inspired by Oscar Peterson’s Childhood
Long before Oscar Peterson became a virtuoso jazz pianist, he was a boy who loved to play the trumpet. When a bout of childhood tuberculosis weakened his lungs, Oscar could no longer play his beloved instrument. He took up piano and the rest is history: Oscar went on to become an international jazz piano sensation.
Oscar Lives Next Door is a fictional story inspired by these facts. The book imagines a next-door neighbor for Oscar named Millie, who gets into mischief with him but also appreciates his talents: Oscar hears music in everything, and Millie calls him a magician for the way he can coax melodies from his trumpet. Millie writes to Oscar during his long stay in the hospital for tuberculosis, and she encourages his earliest notes on the piano.
Oscar was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the “Maharaja of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington. He is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists and played thousands of concerts worldwide in a career lasting more than 60 years. He has a school and a concert hall named after him.
Destination : Quebec Author/Guide: Bonnie Farmer Departure Time: 1925 – 2007
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