Oscar Peterson Interview by Joe Williams - 5/31/1995 - Caribbean

Oscar Peterson shares stories with Joe Williams about significant recordings and collaborations during his celebrated career. The interview was conducted on a jazz cruise in Oscar's honor.
Use of these materials by other parties is subject to the fair use doctrine in United States copyright law (Title 17, Chapter 1, para. 107) which allows use for commentary, criticism, news reporting, research, teaching or scholarship without requiring permission from the rights holder. Any use that does not fall within fair use must be cleared with the rights holder. For assistance, please contact the Fillius Jazz Archive, Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323.
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[@demetriucsnightshadeonyout877]

two great men of jazz

[@amtrakatsfnyc]

Thank you for sharing this most beautiful and educational conversation between two of my musical masters whose performances will last forever.

[@BMarPiano]

“ You make a pact with the instrument in the first few bars that you’re going to talk to it a certain way. And hopefully it will respond to you.” I love that. Oscar was a phenomenal musician.

[@nickk8416]

How good was that? That had never occurred to me. I've often wondered about an artist challenges with sub-par piano's. Nobody seems to talk about it.

[@donaldscherzi169]

A True hero and genius. Will never be anyone like Mr. Peterson.

[@axeman2638]

Sadly I think you are right, the social and technological conditions that produced Oscar and the other greats of his generation just don't exist anymore. Jazz has largely lost touch with it's roots in poor black communities and so has lost it's soul. Even the young black players sound white and like clones of Coltrane or Parker or Miles,

[@t.p.mckenna]

A beautiful encounter with two old friends. Joe Williams was a tremendous interviewer with great insight and that lovely, elegant speaking voice that was a feature of the gentleman of jazz such as Billy Eckstine and Ellington.

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Well said! Joe was not acting when he gave Oscar his highest praise. Joe also helped our interview project get off the ground by lending his reputation to the effort. Monk

[@nemo227]

When the keyboards are chasing you . . . your brain is asking to rest. Then it will be okay. It's like when your computer locks up or crashes, it's time for a reset. Then it's like new again. When my hands can't keep up I stop and then re-start slowly.

[@traeblackwell]

I love to watch these documentaries on a rainy day. It warms my soul up!

[@John-so3gp]

Thank You for posting a great interview

[@unho126]

Thank you for sharing this... I love OP and this kind of work really helps me understand the legendary pianist better

[@clivelange7879]

i was introduced to oscar petersons music at 8 yrs old by my late father.im now 54 and still consider him my all time favourite jazz pianist

[@eddiebeato5546]

Oscar Peterson is the embodiment of Jazz…thank you for posting this interview!

[@willythewave]

Thank you for the upload.

[@angelajoseph6709]

I love seeing Joe Williams talking with Oscar Peterson about Art Tatum, a favorite of my brother a very talented pianist whom OP complimented when he was in San Francisco at the Fairmont Hotel. RIP Alfred Simmons Jr. and Oscar Peterson. You all are missed:-/

[@sjberardi]

Joe Williams, was one of the classiest, most assured singers in his later years. This interview with Oscar reveals his thoughtfulness and tenderness. It is a lovely discussion between two greats and a glimpse into their remarkable experiences. A perfect complement to their remarkable music.

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Thanks for the comment Steven. Class is a spot on adjective to describe Joe and many of his fellow musicians from that era. Joe was quite deferential to Oscar. Together, we waited over an hour for Oscar to exit the dining room, this interview was worth the wait. Monk

[@reddustdiecastmodelrail1499]

Great video ! awesome ! Thanks for sharing ! m

[@filliusjazzarchive]

You are very welcome. Monk

[@michaelthompson6452]

Oscar doesn't have to write anything. He's musical genius is everlasting.

[@mandohat]

This is priceless

[@cbro777]

I love these interviews.

[@TwelfthRoot2]

me too. I wish there were more of them. I can't get enough of Oscar and Errol.

[@thekarmafarmer608]

Two absolute giants. Wow, like gods in the room. Talking together as equals

[@nickk8416]

What an exceptional interview. And between friends! Full of musical treasures. Particularly for the musician but all will love it.

[@charlesmintus3063]

What a pleasure it is to get this insight. God bless these two and everyone they had spoken about.

[@RanBlakePiano]

Wonderful op a great human being. A pleasure to hear interviews by joe Williams and ?Monk. And ?Monk Rowe

[@dattieo]

"I'm thankful that I was fortunate enough to have been reared in that era...and to hear all of these greats...." I tell myself the same thing over and over; I could have been born long before Oscar and Joe, came along, and never even heard of them. Thank goodness we have their recordings, and the sheet music they took the trouble to transcribe.

[@rcc3574]

I enjoyed this conversation, especially what Mr. Peterson said at 28:11 about how he gained self perception when composing. Thank you for posting this.

[@j.walker6845]

Hearing these anecdotes with their wit and delight is like listening to a great jazz album.

[@traeblackwell]

Oscar Peterson! Timeless! A Master of his time.

[@angelajoseph6709]

Thank-you so much for posting FJA😍

[@grahamlyons8522]

Another confirmation is that classical training for pianists is, and has been, essential for every great pianist, no matter what their genre - with one exception!

[@mushmorant9253]

I wonder if you refer to Erroll Garner.

[@grahamlyons8522]

Well done, MM! Exactly right.

[@LATINCLASSICSByMiguelito]

MARVELOUS interview with two great gentlemen. May they rest in peace. They dont make them like this anymore

[@recordcollectorsparadise1364]

A great little interview, thank you for preserving and sharing!

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Our pleasure! Monk

[@wdilks]

It's funny. Watching Oscar play, he seems like a gruff, tough, unapproachable, "leave me alone" type of guy. But he is such a genuinely soft-spoken, kind, sweet man. Haven't seen (but heard lots of) Joe Williams. Another well-spoken, genuinely nice man. This was a pleasure to see.

[@dntlss]

Wow, what a treasured footage,Oscar as humble as he always was kinda looks at Joe at the beginning like saying "man I'm nothing special" lol

[@pallhe]

Lovely interview. So natural, just like hanging out with these guys.

[@RonaldJHElzenga]

❤❤

[@marianpetrescu6990]

Is true he is the best piano jazz pianoplayer ever live

[@markbra]

O.P. is the real negotiator !

[@joejohnson2814]

My favorite pianist

[@SuperQdaddy]

Great to hear these guys talk about music history

[@filliusjazzarchive]

Joe Williams also conducted interviews for us with Clark Terry, Milt Hinton and George Shearing, I am sure you would enjoy them as well. Monk

[@gregdixon5848]

Love them both

[@Bloos486]

A

[@gumonthepants]

Incredibly valuable information in this talk!