Banff (The Beautiful) Celebrates Oscar Peterson at 100

Dr. OSCAR EMMANUEL PETERSON, CC CQ OOnt., is one of the most prolific jazz pianists of all time, lending his name and talents to more than 500 recordings and earning 8 GRAMMY Awards (including Lifetime Achievement). Born in Montréal’s Little Burgundy, his immense talent, fierce determination and profound love for the artform caught the attention of jazz music’s greatest impresario and founder of Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP), Norman Granz. After accepting an invitation to perform as a surprise guest at a JATP show at Carnegie Hall at just twenty-four years old, Peterson would continue to tour with the group performing with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Ray Brown, Roy Eldridge, Herb Ellis, Clark Terry, Lester Young, and Lionel Hampton.

Peterson’s global admiration and respect as both a musician and humanitarian would later be recognized in the form of various international honours including: Praemium Imperiale World Art Award, UNESCO Music Prize, Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (France), and sixteen honourary doctorates. For most of his near 7-decade career, Peterson remained on the road performing for eager audiences around the world, and always proudly representing his home of Canada. Among his most cherished recognitions was being named a Companion of the Order of Canada, Chevalier of the Order of Québec and receiving the Order of Ontario. Posthumously, Peterson was inducted into both the Canadian Songwriters and Canadian Music Halls of Fame and today finds himself a permanent part of Canada's history with a statue in the nation's capital (created by Ruth Abernethy), a Canada Post stamp, murals, parks and streets bearing his name and in 2022, a Commemorative Circulation Coin was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint paying tribute to Peterson.

The legacy of Oscar Peterson remains strong with his music being taught in schools worldwide and through the efforts of Kelly Peterson (The Estate of Oscar Peterson), there has been the release of several recording projects including 3 never-before-heard archival concerts, the dynamic solo piano project Oscar, With Love (featuring 16 internationally renowned pianists performing Peterson’s compositions in his home, on his beloved Bösendorfer Imperial piano), the completion and world premiere of the Africa Suite (featuring original arrangements by John Clayton), and several concerts both in Canada and beyond. The Estate of Oscar Peterson proudly honours his life’s work and commitment to artistic excellence and in 2025 will celebrate what would be his 100th birthday with a series of live concerts and exciting projects. It is through the invaluable contributions of the musicians whom Peterson has inspired that these initiatives are enriched.

Producer and Artist Representative, Céline Peterson, works with some of the most exciting internationally acclaimed jazz artists on the scene today, including JUNO Award winners Caity Gyorgy, Jim Doxas, and Robi Botos, acclaimed vocalist Paul Marinaro, tap dancing storyteller Travis Knights, Canada's beloved songstress Jackie Richardson, Member to the Order of Canada, Dr. Dave Young, pianist Ben Paterson, and the Doxas Brothers. Also an experienced producer, Céline’s live event credits include Jazz at Lincoln Center, Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts, Massey Hall,  and nearly eight years as a producer of Toronto’s Kensington Market Jazz Festival.

Céline’s career began as a teenager when she started working in Social Media Management and then in 2014, she transitioned to Management at the suggestion of long-time friend, Dave Young. Her efforts and successes have put her at the top of the list for artists who want to work with a representative with a unique understanding of the industry and a track record with dedication first and foremost to supporting the artist’s goals. As an Artist Representative, Céline chooses to adapt her services to fit the needs of the artists she is working with, believing that every artist is entitled to representation. With advocacy being an integral part of accurate representation as far as Céline is concerned, her goal is to encourage a shift in the industry so that sacrificing artistic integrity becomes a less common practice for those who wish to reach certain milestones as artists.

"Céline Peterson is a brave and articulate champion for Jazz. A valiant writer and speaker who works lovingly and tirelessly for the cause of dedicated musicians. Her brilliant mind and deep heart motivate her outspoken support for the present and future of music education. With honest humility and courage, she speaks the truth of the immeasurable importance for our evolving society to realize that Jazz is a precious art form for us to invest ourselves in and to treat with care, dignity and devotion. I’m grateful for Céline’s encouragement of my efforts, because her sincerity won’t ever allow her to “pretend” where the sanctity of music is concerned. Céline is the real deal and the international Jazz community is blessed by her humanity, soul and voice." - Benny Green

From 2016 - 2022, Céline was a producer of the Kensington Market Jazz Festival, which takes place each fall in the heart of downtown Toronto. Céline has also worked extensively with Coalition Canada and their Youth4Music initiative as an Ambassador, participating annually in their Music Monday celebrations. A proud advocate for the up-and-coming generations of musicians, in addition to her work with the Coalition, Céline has done workshops at various schools including Durham College, and The Chicago Academy for the Arts. The opportunity to interact with people behind the voices that will shape the future is a significant priority for Céline - not because she needs to be heard but because she wants to hear from them in order to lend her support and aid in amplifying their voices. 

Since 2018, Céline has worked with Christine Mori and Alexis Spieldenner at Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts. Céline has been a part of several presentations at their multi-genre festival. Highlights include two years as Artistic Producer of their annual Voices of Freedom concert. This unique event has seen performances from Monty Alexander's Harlem-Kingston Express, GRAMMY Award winner Larnell Lewis, multi JUNO Award winners Robi Botos, and Mike Downes, acclaimed vocalist Jackie Richardson, bassist and educator Bakithi Kumalo, saxophonist Joseph Callender, and students from Laura Secord Secondary School's concert choir and band. Céline has also curated International Jazz Day programming for Bravo Niagara!, which in 2020 included a brand new arrangement of Max Roach's Freedom Day by Larnell Lewis, featuring Lewis, Dione Taylor, Robi Botos, Mike Downes and Matt Woroshyl. The 2020 IJD programming also included virtual performances from Lara Driscoll, Laila Biali and Paul Marinaro as well as a celebration of Dr. Billy Taylor's centennial featuring Monty Alexander and Brandon Goldberg, and 'A Conversation with John Clayton & Howard Reich'. In 2022 for the return of their in-person IJD celebrations, Céline brought together veteran members of Oscar Peterson's quartet, Jeff Hamilton, Dave Young and Ulf Wakenius with special guest Jocelyn Gould and featuring Robi Botos on piano for 'The Music of Oscar Peterson'. Céline was also on the Production Team for Bravo’s brand new ballet, Kimiko’s Pearl, which held its world premiere in June 2024. ‘Kimiko’s Pearl’ unfurls the bittersweet story of one family – spanning four generations – set against the turbulent backdrop of WWII. To learn more click here.

In February 2019, the 70th anniversary of Oscar Peterson’s US debut at Carnegie Hall was commemorated at Jazz At Lincoln Center’s Appel Room, with “Piano Master: The Oscar Peterson Story.” For this remarkable 2-night event, Céline called upon 2x GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, composer, arranger, and bandleader John Clayton to act as Musical Director. This special program featured performances from Gerald Clayton, Bill Charlap, Ben Paterson, Robi Botos, Kenny Barron, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Paul Marinaro, Jeff Hamilton, and Ulf Wakenius. Also in 2019 Céline joined in the celebrations for jazz legend Art Blakey’s centennial at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Jazz Congress, moderating a panel that brought together more than 25 of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and was the first reunion of its size in celebration of this jazz icon and his legacy. Panellists included Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Benny Green, Melissa Slocum, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker, Branford Marsalis, Harold Mabern, Ralph Peterson Jr. and more.

 
One clear theme in most aspects of Peterson’s work is her dedication to celebrating legacy. In 2022 she joined forces with pianist, composer and Executive Director of Neranenah in Atlanta, Joe Alterman, to produce a celebration of the life and work of jazz music’s greatest and most prominent impresario, Norman Granz. While Granz’s name is surely known to jazz fans as founder of Verve Records and Jazz At The Philharmonic, outside of those circles few are aware of his immense impact not just on the jazz artform but on Civil Rights. Through music and conversation, Benny Green, John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton along with Alterman came together to pay tribute to “The Man Who Used Jazz For Justice.”

Céline also has a history in broadcasting. In May of 2019, Céline joined the team at JAZZCAST.ca where she hosted No, I Do Not Play Piano, a weekly program dedicated to music that she has connected to over the years. JAZZCAST was founded in 2019 by Dani Elwell, Garvia Bailey, Walter Venafro and Heather Bambrick. JAZZCAST was an online platform where listeners can enjoy 24/7 jazz programming as well as curated programs from an impressive list of hosts. In 2022, Céline continued the program when it moved to JAZZ.FM91 alongside other JAZZCAST programming. The show concluded in fall of 2022.

Céline currently sits on the Board of Directors at Calgary’s BuckingJamPalace (BJP); a family organization rooted in intimate live performances educational programming. Since its inception from founders Lisa and Tom Buck, BJP has contributed significantly towards the enrichment of the jazz scene in western Canada and has expanded the organization’s scope to include new and exciting initiatives rooted in artistic expression and excellence. Born from their friendship and like-minded goals, BJP Artistic Director Lisa Buck, Board President Jodi Lucas (CKUA), and Peterson joined forces to launch SASS Artist Management, a new start-up focusing on amplifying and supporting female-identifying voices within music in Canada.

 
Within 2022-2024, Céline enjoyed working on additional projects including Jazz.FM91’s Discover Women in Jazz Series, a new recording of Oscar Peterson’s Hymn To Freedom to commemorate the song’s 60th anniversary, and was selected as Curator for the Canadian Music Centre’s new concert series, Jazz at the Centre, which is approaching its third season.

 
Looking ahead to 2025, Céline is hard at work on planning for a year of celebration of what would be Oscar Peterson’s Centennial. There are a series of exceptional events and projects scheduled throughout the year from The Estate of Oscar Peterson in collaboration with the production team of Peterson and Jim Doxas. The first announcements for this occasion will be made on August 15, 2024, so visit OscarPeterson.com to be the first to receive updates.

3x JUNO Award-winner Robi Botos has been hailed as one of the most diverse multi-instrumentalists of this generation. Drawing on inspiration from his Hungarian roots, his invariably expanding taste in music, or the experiences that shaped his life, Robi’s incomparable creativity and seemingly limitless technical ability have kept audiences returning to his performances with an eagerness for more than twenty five years. His openness blended with his ever-evolving sound, incomparable creativity and seemingly limitless technical ability gains the listener's eager attention within a few notes, and keeps them both captivated and eager to know what he will do next.

Taurey Butler is a phenomenal jazz pianist of the highest calibre. Hailing from East Orange, New Jersey, he has played all across the world from Hong Kong to New York and now makes his home in Montreal. He emerges as a fully-formed master of hard-driving swing deeply rooted in the blues.

Jazz pianist and composer RINA holds a Degree from the Kunitachi College Of Music in Japan where she studied with internationally acclaimed pianist Makoto Ozone. After graduation, RINA took an audition for the Berklee College Of Music and her talent and exceptional abilities were clearly noticed as received a full-scholarship to attend the college in consequence. In 2019, RINA signed a worldwide exclusive contract with Yamaha Music and later became a Yamaha Artist, joining an exquisite circle of renowned artists such as Chick Corea, Monty Alexander and Eddie Palmieri. In 2020, RINA released her first album “RINA”, produced by Ozone.

It’s not only jazz bassist Brandi Disterheft’s fiery bass playing that make audiences stand-up and holler, but also her innovative live shows showcasing her uptempo, swinging originals and ambient voice. Winning a JUNO for her “Debut” album, Brandi had the honor to be the bassist for the legendary Hank Jones on the album “Pleased to Meet You” and has since captivated international audiences at jazz festivals globally and at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, and the Vienna Opera House. Recordings and performances include notable collaborations with Anita O'day, Benny Green, Cyrus Chestnut and Vincent Herring to name a few.

2021 JUNO Award winner Jocelyn Gould has been called “a leader in the next generation of great mainstream jazz guitarists” by Howard Paul, CEO of Benedetto Guitars. Her joyful energy has captivated audiences around the world and her passion for music is as infectious as her unique ability to connect with audiences. Jocelyn has absorbed the influences of the jazz guitar greats and has woven them into an exciting personal sound, citing Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Joe Pass and Kenny Burrell as primary influences on the guitar. Jocelyn Gould is a Benedetto-endorsed artist.

Caity Gyorgy is a 3x JUNO award winning Canadian vocalist known for singing bebop and swing music. She has performed at venues and festivals across Canada, Mexico, Japan and the USA and has worked with incredible musicians including Christine Jensen, Pat LaBarbera, Jocelyn Gould, and Joe LaBarbera, to name a few. In addition to being a performer, Caity is an avid writer and composes songs in the style of the Great American Songbook. Her compositions have been sung globally, and have won multiple awards including the Grand Prize in the jazz category of the 2021 John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Toronto-born, New York-based drummer Mark McLean is a dynamic studio and touring musician. He has been in demand over the past two decades, anchoring and collaborating with such greats as Joe Sample, Quincy Jones, Jamie Cullum, Dionne Warwick, Billy Joel, and the late George Michael. Recently, Mark expanded his musical exploration into composing for film and television, co-scoring “How It Feels To Be Free,” an episode of PBS’s long-running series American Masters. He followed that by scoring the TV documentary Black Liberators WWII for Canada’s History Channel, and just finished scoring his first animated series for GBH Kids/PBS entitled Acoustic Rooster.