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NACO CTV POPS SERIES: Celebrating Oscar Peterson on November 26-28

Summary: In the second CTV Pops concert of the NAC’s 40th Anniversary season, conductor Tommy Banks leads the National Arts Centre Orchestra and a constellation of jazz all-stars in Celebrating Oscar Peterson in Southam Hall on November 26, 27, and 28th.

In the second CTV Pops concert of the NAC’s 40^th Anniversary season, conductor Tommy Banks leads the National Arts Centre Orchestra and a constellation of jazz all-stars in Celebrating Oscar Peterson in Southam Hall on Thursday November 26, Friday November 27, and Saturday November 28 at 8 p.m.

Katie Malloch, host of the CBC Radio Two jazz/soul program Tonic, will host the evening. Joining the NAC Orchestra will be pianist Oliver Jones, vocalists Ranee Lee and 15-year old musical prodigy Nikki Yanofsky in her NAC debut, and Dave Young (bass), Terry Clarke (drums), Richard Ring (guitar), Jonathan Challoner (trumpet), and John Sadowy (piano). Video design is by Isabel Barsive. The program for the evening (subject to change) includes “Chinatown, My Chinatown”; “The Way You Look Tonight”; “Place St. Henri” (excerpt from Canadiana Suite); “Fulford Street Romp”; “Tenderly/The Man I Love/Body and Soul”; “Just You, Just Me”; “Err on a G-String”; “A Tisket, A Tasket”; “First Lady”; “Lady Be Good”; “Take the “A” Train”; “When You Wish Upon A Star”; “Why Think About Tomorrow”; “Jazz Gavottte”; and “Hymn to Freedom”.

Friends of the NAC Orchestra Silent Auction ~ Saturday November 28

The silent auction – which features special items donated from across Canada and around the world -- will be held in the NAC foyer before the concert, at intermission, and for 20 minutes following the performance. Proceeds will benefit the Friends of the NAC Orchestra’s commitment to

music education programs for young people.

The legendary Oscar Peterson (1925-2007) was both technically brilliant and melodically inventive. One of the greatest pianists of all time, he was nicknamed “the Maharaja of the Keyboard” by none other than Duke Ellington. The NAC Orchestra and guests are thrilled to pay tribute to a performer who astonished audiences around the world and inspired generations of musicians. His career arc took him from his Montreal roots (where he started playing piano at age 5 and became a professional pianist at age 14) to Carnegie Hall and back, and he remains a source of tremendous pride for all of Canada.

Oscar Peterson redefined the jazz trio by bringing musicianship of all three members to the highest level. He released over 200 recordings, won eight Grammy Awards, belongs to the JUNO Awards Hall of Fame and the Canadian Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame, and has received numerous other awards and honours. He performed with all the major jazz artists, including Ray Brown, Coleman Hawkins, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Anita O'Day, Fred Astaire, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, and Stan Getz. He played thousands of live concerts to audiences worldwide in a career lasting more than 65 years and wrote pieces for piano, for trio, for quartet and for big band. He also wrote several songs, and made recordings as a singer. Probably his best-known compositions are "Canadiana Suite" and "Hymn to Freedom," the latter composed in the 1960s and inspired by the U.S. civil rights movement.

“Technique is something you use to make your ideas listenable," he once told jazz writer Len Lyons. "You learn to play the instrument so you have a musical vocabulary, and you practice to get your technique to the point you need to express yourself, depending on how heavy your ideas are."""His hands could do things few piano players can do," said pianist Bill King who studied with Peterson at his music school. Because Peterson was a big man — six feet three inches — he could stretch his hands over a keyboard in a way few musicians can match.

1-hour student matinees (not open to the general public) will be performed on November 26-27 at 11 a.m

OSCAR PETERSON AS INSPIRATION

“Oscar Peterson was my hero. He should be one of the heroes of every Canadian. When one of our

own reaches the rarified stratum of uncontested “best in the world” at what he or she does,

we should all take great pride in that accomplishment. We should never forget the lustre this brings

to our nation, and we should never forget how hard it was to get there. Oscar influenced the music of course, by his melodic inventiveness, his jaw-dropping technique, and his unfathomable versatility;

but he also provided a model of professionalism and respect for his art and craft that continues to inspire. There were, in Oscar’s time, the very good, the great, and then the few transcendently brilliant jazz pianists. And then towering above them all, there was Oscar.”

Tommy Banks

“Oscar Peterson was my inspiration ever since the age of six years old. He was an artist that has brought a great sense of pride to Canada’s artistic endeavours. He had the unique ability to make the piano roar like the ocean or to make it sound as delicate as a child’s music box. He was the total professional and the most disciplined musician I have ever met.”

Oliver Jones

“For as long as I have been interested in learning, knowing and appreciating music, Oscar Peterson has always been high on my list of great examples. He laid the groundwork for many talented artists and musicians by proving that nothing can be gained without dedication and belief in oneself. When I first met Mr. Peterson it took my breath away to have had the opportunity to stand and sing before such powerful greatness, and the gentleness of a very wise man!”

Ranee Lee

The NAC Orchestra, under conductor Tommy Banks, performs Celebrating Oscar Peterson in Southam Hall of the National Arts Centre on Thursday November 26, Friday November 27, and Saturday November 28, 2009 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $19, $29, $39.50, $50, $60, $70, and $87.50 for adults and $10.75, $15.75, $21, $26.25, $31.25, $36.25, and $45 for students (upon presentation of a valid student ID card). Tickets are available at the NAC Box Office (in person) and through Ticketmaster (with surcharges) at 613-755-1111; Ticketmaster may also be accessed through www.nac-cna.ca.

Subject to availability, full-time students (aged 13-29) with valid Live Rush™ membership may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at the discount price of $11 per ticket. Tickets are available online (www.nac-cna.ca) or at the NAC box office from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance until 6 p.m. on the day of the show or 2 hours before a matinee. Groups of 10 or more save 15% to 20% off regular ticket prices to all NAC Music, Theatre and Dance performances; to reserve your seats, call Julie Laroche at 613-947-7000, ext. 634 or e-mail grp@nac-cna.ca.

For additional information, visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca

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