Oscar Peterson, 1925 - 2007

(posted by Debbie Goodridge 27 Dec. 2007)

Sadly, the world has lost another jazz great. After a long illness, jazz legend Oscar Peterson passed away on Christmas Eve from kidney failure. This past June there was a tribute for him at Carnegie Hall where his contemporaries, Hank Jones, Billy Taylor, Clark Terry all peformed in his honour.

Growing up in our church in Montreal I remember him and his family. He and his sister, Daisy used to play piano but Daisy also used to teach. In those days he along with Oliver Jones made a positive impact on our community. During my piano lessons with Daisy, she would tell me all kinds of wonderful stories about him, about his remarkable skill and his keen ear for remembering complex melodies.

Oscar leaves behind a wife and seven children, but also his magnificent talent and individual style which will be remembered and studied for decades to come.

For more on the Life Story of Oscar Peterson:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000100128647X

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Jazz festivals in 2008 - join us!

(posting by Debbie Goodridge - originally sent in an email to members 19 Dec. 2007)


Dear members and friends of the Jazz Society,

As we wind down 2007, I hope the year’s been good to you and that you’ll be able to attend tonight’s Jazz Society party in the Club Room GA-37. It’s only one of several events we’ve got planned for the club.

As part of the event planning for 2008, I’m in discussions with the UNSRC Travel Club to try and organize trips to some of the more interesting jazz festivals in the area. We would like to get some feedback from you to find out your interest. The more the merrier, but we need a minimum of 45 people for the buses. The information you provide will help us in planning for transportation, discount rates if available, etc. Although the artists haven’t been announced yet, here are the jazz fests we’re looking at:

Saratoga Jazz Fest 28-29 June 2008 Saratoga, NY
http://www.spac.org/spac-festivals/spac-festivals.asp?varID=14

Montreal Jazz Festival 26 June – 6 July 2008 Montreal, QC
http://www.montrealjazzfest.com/Fijm2007/accueil_en.aspx

As the Saratoga Fest runs into the Montreal Festival, we’re thinking of doing a trip New York/Saratoga/Montreal/New York from 28 June – 6 July. Depending on your input, we may also break it up into two trips, from 28-29 June (Saratoga) and 1-6 July (Montreal).

Please let me know:

a) if you’re interested; [yes] [no]
b) preferences of option 1) two separate trips, or option 2) one joint trip

As a member and friend, your input is important. Please add your comments below. We’re looking for some interesting feedback so I hope to hear from you soon.

On behalf of the Executive Committee, thank you for your continued interest and support and we wish you all the best for 2008.

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