The Most INSANE Music Interview

[@sirhcseroom2723]

My late Father was a jazz pianist, based in West London, UK. He was well known locally but he wasn't famous. Oscar Peterson was his hero, and one evening in the early 1980's he had the greatest privilege of having dinner with Oscar at a hotel in central London. Oscar's people even sent a limo to pick my father up. My Father had the best night of his life, and always remarked how charming and funny Oscar was. He was truly humbled by him. But the funniest part of the story is that Oscar was actually late down to dinner, keeping his guests waiting. And the excuse Oscar gave was that he was watching the Muppet Show on TV. Absolutely true story. Hero's don't get any cooler than that that do they?

[@neiladlington950]

I remember years ago Count Basie was doing a gig in Canada and CBC was interviewing him but Basie had to interrupt the interview to give a glowing shout out to Oscar who lived in Toronto back then. Princes and Kings; your choice which is which.

[@SeekerSmith]

No, they do not Sir!

[@bananabob2185]

I’m SO glad your Dad had that experience! My Dad too was a jazz musician (sax, drums, arranging) and he loved Oscar too. 🥲

[@thesuncollective1475]

Great story, your Dad was connected. You must be proud of him, that's a great name drop and I worked in TV !

[@Kosmo999]

Great story!

[@peasantsoul]

Seeing Beato so fired up about Cavett's Oscar Peterson interview made my day.

[@gerryhector6184]

These were two professionals. Oscar and Dick 2 legends.

[@jimmlygoodness]

@@gerryhector6184 I think the only American TV interviewer that came close in modern times was Charlie Rose. Most other interview shows are too short and too superficial.

[@edh2246]

@@jimmlygoodness. I really miss Charlie Rose. We would probably have been in a better place now if Charlie Rose’s career hadn’t abruptly ended.

[@rodrigo_ariel_piano]

Same here

[@thom-mark6443]

Dick Cavett was a rare combination of class, knowledge, humor, friendliness and humility.

[@karlmckinnell2635]

Definitely a gold standard of his kraft, ❤ Cavett

[@kmcin]

Oscar Peterson was an incredible musician, a musical genius. Dick Cavet is definite the top of the class interviewer. A master class.

[@riddleofsteel9156]

I was 18 years old in 1994, and had just joined the Navy. I came from a small cow town in Texas, and didn’t know much about music, other than some country and grunge. We were in the Pacific Ocean, heading west to the Persian Gulf, when I went into our ship’s store one day. It was a matter of having some money and no place to spend it, so I made it to the little CD music section of the shop. To this day I don’t know how stocked the store with CDs but whoever it was, changed my life. I ended up finding lots of Verve jazz music there over the next couple years, before I left the service, but the first thing I ever bought was an Oscar Peterson CD. It blew me away. Somehow I had existed in the world without having known the world of music could be so complex, playful, beautiful and sad. Many years later, I listen to a wide variety of music-from classical to metal-but I’ll never forget that it was the great Oscar Peterson who woke me up from my sleeping self. God bless his memory!

[@aglees2b]

Cheers for a recommendation of where to start and where to go next

[@brendonmurley8276]

What a beautiful heartfelt story!

[@kitchen6036]

You’re a rare breed

[@sicnarf423]

Then everyone clapped

[@eongoosm]

On the IKE?

[@MaestroPippo]

When I was doing my undergrad degree in music, Oscar Peterson was professor emeritus. Even when he was really sick, he still came and watched our Jazz ensembles play! We'd be scared out of our wits when we saw him sitting at the back, blowing our silly undergrad solos, but he always had time for a kind word when we worked up enough courage to go talk to him after our set. Such an incredibly kind man and an eternal icon to the music.

[@dubasciver3234]

Makes me wonder if you went to York?

[@333ministries]

Oscar Peterson in your undergrad studies??!!!!! WoW😮😮😮😮😮😊😊😊😊

[@louistusz3646]

@@dubasciver3234good on ya! Gotta plug our Canadian institutions to the worldwide audience. Rick nods to us from time to time, but look at his heros: Joni, Gordon, Rush, The Band…

[@JasonKucherawy]

I’m a York University grad too. Not music, but I remember Oscar being one for dropping by, and I heard he was always generous with his time when it came to students. A gem.

[@JasonKucherawy]

At York U, I got to hang out for a couple hours with Grammy Award-winner Rob Bowman to chat about the music industry. I look back at the access I had to brilliant people who were willing to give away their time and knowledge to keeners like me and I miss it.

[@nancyfredericks5949]

Cavett was one of the great interviewers. Very laid back and genuinely interested. They played reruns of his various shows on local TV until about a year ago, and they were always riveting, no matter who it was. Back when American had an attention span. Rick, you could not have found a better role model, and it shows. Love your interviews.

[@petterw5318]

His KZbin channel is a gold mine, from the famous Gore Vidal / Norman Mailer confrontation, to Muhammad Ali, to a terrific conservation with a young and very sardonic post-Beatles George Harrison.

[@Caturday123]

Dick Cavett was a brilliant interviewer ❤

[@klchu]

Dick Cavett was an S Tier interviewer. He is one of the top 5 of all time.

[@Weshopwizard]

He was one of a kind. Homer Simpson was not a big fan though.

[@justinkundert3383]

Cavett was/is the best all-round interviewer ever (I hate to admit it, but when he wants to be serious, Howard Stern's pretty good in today's world). I recently found a Cavett/Arthur Ashe interview, and I, as a life-long tennis afficianado, learned more about tennis in that 60 minutes than I had learned in the previous 30 years of my life. After all, there's a reason Janis Joplin enjoyed having Cavett join her for a ride in her limo whenever she was in the area. Beato, dude, I actually didn't used to like your interviews. The sound was awful, the editing was ridiculously bad and sluggish, the questions themselves were so far from any logical order, etc., but doggonit, you've completely turned that around in the last year (I know, like I'm some sort of expert). Now I'm actually looking forward to them. But then there's Oscar. Holey moley .. how many levels of genius can there possibly be?

[@SamSung-nf6tr]

I remember when this was on TV. I used to watch Dick Cavett every day after school.

[@FXSquaredSD]

I was the 2nd Recording Engineer on 2 of Oscar’s albums .. he was unreal .. simply unreal… even the takes we didn’t end up using was jaw dropping

[@opiumdennis7249]

I knew a fellow named Sam who drummed for Oscar for a while... nothing but amazing stories...

[@hlcepeda]

You lucky... lucky... b_____d! How did you mic those sessions? More than one mic? Any 'unusual' locations to speak of?

[@FXSquaredSD]

@@hlcepeda These were both studio albums, no remote locations.. at the time, this studio was the second biggest recording room in Canada .. second to the Glenn Gould. One of the Albums was Oscar Peterson meets Roy Hargrove and Ralph Moore. The picture on the cover was the studio recording floor. beautiful sounding room , very airy. 30 foot ceilings.. hard to find a room like that today. We had to bring in a 12 foot Bosendorfer, 2 weeks prior so it would climatize to the room, tuned 3 days before session, don't even think u can find one anymore.... Jazz quartet style micing with ambient spot mic's. I remember Niels-Henning on Bass was a monster player as well.. I just remember putting the machines in record and watched them play

[@FXSquaredSD]

@williamperri3437 Roy and Ralph were guests on only that album that we worked on. The other Album I believe was a Christmas album with his regular touring ensemble at the time.. but Oscar recorded so many albums .. there was no punch-in's .. no re-do's .. no overdubs.. just the complete take from the floor .. and yes 60% ad lib. Oscar gives them a frame work or stucture .. and than they just go off... and I'll share another tid bit.. they're warm up at times grew into a full on jam session .. I can remember during the Roy and Ralph album .. there was a warm up standand they did that just grew into the best playing of the whole recordings cause they were just loose and fooling around.. and of course that never made it on the album ..

[@evertvdb000]

wow, i envie that

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

Cavett's first autobiography is an incredible read. Highly recommended. I grew up in this era and remember when talk shows were inclined to elevate their audiences instead of dumb them down and pander to them.

[@seabulls69]

Excellent observation.

[@ManchurianCounterweight]

right on.

[@pookz3067]

@@freeherenow52the culture has always been devolved. From the periods of classical music through today what we consider elevated culture was enjoyed by a small percentage of the population. What’s changed is how much of the media panders to that side of us, which naturally will grow to a larger percentage under democratic capitalism no matter what.

[@savizzlekeys]

I love this so much! As a pianist myself, I am truly in awe of Oscar. I am also a giant fan of Rick and especially his interviewing skills. He really gets the most out of his guests.

[@brentwalker8596]

Yep. We're at rock bottom right now.

[@TaberBucknell]

When I was 15-years-old I worked part time at a Radio Shack store in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. One day I helped a customer select a microphone and portable audio mixer, that customer was Oscar Peterson. 😯 The store manager asked me if I knew who my customer was after he left … I did not at the time. Ever since then every time I see / hear anything Oscar Peterson did I am blown away by his talent and I am more honoured to have met him! In that brief interaction with him Mr. Peterson was humble, gentle, and kind.

[@sianwarwick633]

😊. That is cool

[@k.t.1641]

A radio shack mic huh.... Might as well of used a can on a string lol. I worked there too and the products were extremely cheap

[@phil2207]

What store? Where exactly?

[@ninarochette1671]

@@k.t.1641Stuff breaks on tour.

[@stinkfinger630]

@@k.t.1641Wrong. plenty of decent gear available at the Shack back in the day! Realistic is mocked, but some of the receivers are great!

[@miffy9871]

I love the fact that you are musician in the broadest sense and aren’t snobbish towards any musical style. In short, if it’s good, it doesn’t matter what style it is. Keep up the good work!

[@trenthorne]

Interviews like this don't happen anymore because we don't have intelligent hosts like Dick Cavett anymore and we don't have audiences wishing to increase their knowledge or skills - they just want to be entertained. And I think, Rick, that is why you're channel is so popular because you are offering exactly the recipe for greatness that you are calling out here with Dick and Oscar. Thank you!

[@ji604]

Nardwuar (The Human Serviette) is a great example of someone who does such impeccable research about the subjects and their craft that he completely disarms and fascinates the person being interviewed.

[@coronaflo]

The problem is that corporations that own the networks now want talk show hosts to push their advertising and not in depth interviews.

[@alanking6240]

Another talk show host that was really great was Phil Donahue. He wanted his audience really get to know his guests. I remember his Neil Diamond interview, awesome. He not only talked music but discussed Neil's hopes and fears while performing. They discussed his music and how he got his idea's and how he put them to music. It was great.

[@ukestudio3002]

We have them in boatloads. They’re just not hired . (Guys like Rick.)

[@ericcoates8361]

Very true

[@sandragoodman2059]

Dick Cavett was not just amazing and unusual for daytime television, he was amazing and unusual for television, period. There had never been anyone like him on television before, and there hasn't been anyone like him on television since. He got his guests to talk about things that were actually important to them and to us, and he had a wonderfully dry sense of humor that didn't seem to be about himself, but about the conversation.

[@buggyboogle9]

Agreed. And he had great interviews with John Lennon, Marlon Brando, George Harrison and Muhammad Ali et al. And you’re right again, no one interviews like that anymore. In depth, well thought out questions, with no other agenda than to be interested and make it nteresting for the audience.

[@meh49]

There was a selflessness to his interview technique. He also seemed genuinely sincere and interested in his guests.

[@mb7196]

@@buggyboogle9 There are some really good interviewers out there. First one that pops into my mind is George Stroumboulopoulos. One of the best interviewers I've ever seen. He's not doing as much any more but he's got an impressive library of interviews over the past 20 + years.

[@sportsjefe]

@@meh49 He's one of the only people who could bring out the charming side of Bobby Fischer that few people know and less people believed existed.

[@jadezee6316]

nonsense..Peterson the genius is the star here

[@petemyers9428]

Oscar Peterson wrote me once, and it was one of the thrills of my life. Oscar enjoyed photography, and I had written an article about my work as a fine art photographer that resonated with him. For him to take the time to write me shows both his humility and his passion to constantly know more about the creative process. I am so grateful for my moment with him.

[@ThePolypam]

Wow. What an honour to be acknowledged by a giant of a fellow artist.

[@doughbartlett5365]

how cool is that?

[@shanewyatt1793]

I arrived at this channel after talking to J coles keyboard player Ron Gilmore and he said to check out Oscar Peterson. This channel is my new favorite thing to watch. This is a music channel for musicians not dumbed down for the masses, and its great to see how popular this is. Ricks interviews with the unsung amazing musicians is so important to not only to pay homage but also a way for the next generations to learn from.

[@Svenskaraket]

You absolutely nailed it. No one conducts interviews like that on mainstream television anymore. The respect shown to his guest, Oscar Peterson, but also the audience, by not dumbing things down, not asking silly, shallow questions is remarkable. Two adults sharing an adult conversation with hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of viewers. So sad that this is largely a thing of the past for broadcasting but, as you point out, available still to broad but scattered internet audiences.

[@handsomeX]

Couldn't have said it better myself 🎯💯

[@davidcowell3924]

Great job Rick!!! My Dad was a blind piano tuner in London Ontario. He used to tune Oscars piano when he would come to London. Dad finished tuning the piano and some guy asked him if the piano was all tunerewneed up. My dad said yes and so this gent sat beside him and let it RIP!! It was Oscar. They had a nice conversation together. My father listened to your episode and thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you!

[@Dan16673]

No sh7t?

[@minervameza2686]

I had an upright piano that he use to practice on when he would visit Camlachie Ontario, in Sarnia. Canada was blessed with having such a brilliant musician like him. A gift that keeps on giving.

[@citythink]

@@Dan16673my Dad saw Oscar in Bristol UK. He and my mom moved to London Ontario in 1965. And dad and I are still here. We watched the video discussed recently. 😊👍🏼 a true Canadian hero.

[@philotomybaar]

Damn, I sometimes am tuning the wrong string on my piano with sight! Those high unisons must have been tough on a spinnet.

[@Dan16673]

@@citythink wow. lucky man

[@bobfesmire9721]

Dick Cavett was probably the best of the breed for what he did. So intelligent and articulate--and he never EVER dumbed it down. He respected his audience enough to keep it at that high level. His interview with Hendrix is another gem.

[@jefffawcett]

We used to have things that would attempt to educate and elevate the audience. Now the audience wants 30 second snippets of disposable amusement.

[@sulevisydanmaa9981]

@bobfesmire9721 + with Janis, and she does Bobby in it. Also Cavett s voice quality is clear and masculine, contrary to today s whining monkeyzzzz ... 🇫🇮

[@DenOndeMister]

It wasn’t the audience that changed the content but the owners or the delivery system. And they did it because of capitalist reasons. Cheapest possible production cost for highest possible attention retention. It’s not a bug it’s a feature. Quality costs so much that given enough time, the concept of efficiency will erode it completely.

[@finnmcginn9931]

Mike Douglas was good interviewing musicians. Helps that he was one himself

[@oldsocrates]

@@DenOndeMister Oh please....spare me. FYI, we were capitalist back in the 70's too, so that's a horrible take. If you want to blame greedy people, then I'm with you 100%. But if you want to blame the concept of capitalism, then that's just dummmm.

[@martinkittel7219]

Only a piano player can appreciate howamazing a genius Oscar Peterson was. I had the great pleasure and privilege to watch him, after his stroke, on his last performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Thank you Rick for this fantastic clip.

[@ugocdf7706]

Believe me I am no piano player and I sure get it! He is not from this planet

[@judwatkins9478]

I agree with everything Rick Beato says here, and I want to add that Rick, himself, is a bit of a genius for highlighting Oscar P.'s greatness. Much appreciated, Rick!

[@dooleyfan]

Our family saw Oscar Peterson perform at an outdoor venue in Toronto in the 70’s, I would have been 11 or 12 years old. I distinctly remember asking my Dad what the heck he was playing, it just sounded like random notes to me. My father, who wasn’t a musician, answered that jazz players don’t play the notes, they play around the notes. That stuck with me my whole life, and has informed my playing and listening.

[@rfphill]

My music mentor in my youth said it close to the same way, he said they live between the notes... Something like that. But it stuck with me...

[@dubasciver3234]

As someone who just starting to learning jazz piano, I found that observation helpful. Although I would contend the beginners like myself need to start to learn to play the notes/melody in a standard for example, before we can learn to play around the notes.

[@simonwatkins3236]

You have to know the rules before you can break the rules @@dubasciver3234

[@toddpinsky8077]

Shelly Manne: "A true jazz musician is a cat who never plays it the same way once."

[@deniaridley]

@@toddpinsky8077 Great quote.

[@drunkbikewrenchen6400]

Dick was head and shoulders above nearly every other TV talk show host in his time, all of his interviews were top notch.

[@louballou8584]

Hear, hear.

[@neoman1858]

Except with George Harrison

[@TheJunehog]

Even his mistakes were instructive.

[@grbggaming6885]

Yeah also above everyone now. Closest anyone would come is Letterman but he's obviously retired. Fallon, Kimmel, what a joke we have now. Literally just talking puppets.

[@jerryballard371]

@@grbggaming6885The good ones mostly aren’t on TV (although Colbert rocks when he wants to do a straight interview.) But Terry Gross and Mark Maron are 2 of today’s Cavetts

[@arthurmee]

I love the fact that it was all music centred . . . no gossip, no superfluous filler . . . outstanding! Keep at it Rick. I really enjoy your interviews for the same reasons.

[@NealFox]

I met Oscar at a Synclavier seminar weekend at Dartmouth College. He demonstrated the synth but also gave us a private concert at the end of the weekend. Pat Matheny was also there to show us the instrument. Both very nice human beings besides incredible talents.

[@nomasnofuss8393]

love what you say about them being very nice human beings....it really does show in this interview...such amazing talent...an absolute master of music but also shows humour and a gentle human being which is very uplifting to watch in these times we live today.

[@NealFox]

@@nomasnofuss8393 Absolutely! We sure can use more of that.

[@AlexGainChannel]

Oh my how did you manage to meet him? Btw what does that thick mean next to your name?

[@NealFox]

@@AlexGainChannel I did meet them briefly. It was a small class attending the weekend. Maybe 50 people. Not sure what that symbol next to my name means. Maybe it has to do with being a YT partner?

[@stevenhandford3728]

One thing that never changes in these videos is Ricks unabashed love and joy of music. It's tangable!

[@tomranier3387]

I agree completely about Dick Cavett but also wanted to say you are in a class by yourself...as a musician and an interviewer.....and you provide an immeasureable service and blessing to so many ......thank you Rick

[@christophertaylor9100]

Generally Cavett was kind of annoying in his interviews, way too elitist and artsy, very pretentious, but he does really well here, because he has no personal things to add in or act like he's an expert in it.

[@pjmlegrande]

@@christophertaylor9100interesting … I didn’t find him elitist or artsy, but I recognized his manner as maybe sounding too east coast, Ivy League educated for some folk’s tastes (although he is Yale educated, he’s from Nebraska, I think). I’m not of that background myself, but I wasn’t put off by his manner. It seemed natural to him and not affected. He generally asked great questions no matter the interviewee . Maybe the only knock was that he sometimes took too much time explaining why he was asking a question before he asked it. A minor tic, in my view.

[@mkf628]

@@christophertaylor9100 prefer Ellen?

[@christophertaylor9100]

@@mkf628 *fweeet* False Dichotomy, ten yards

[@yafz]

Your enthusiasm is contagious! Please keep on inspiring generations to come! 🙏

[@John_Doe657]

Rick you are doing something important for the music community, infact more important than most people understand. By interviewing all these famous artists you are actually archiving their genius for future generations. Their music, litterature and interviews is all we have left from them once their gone.

[@theseenchantedlands]

❤ agreed!

[@jeffeager]

"archiving their genius" ... very well said!

[@wespeters8147]

I agree 100% - I’m Rick’s age and have played almost all my life and know how hard to access music was in the old days. You are opening up the access for the current generation and for my generation that missed a lot of stuff! Really appreciate what you are doing for music and musicians.

[@23dvs]

I agree - I’m sure the artists Rick interviewes appreciate not having to answer the same old ‘strings and picks’ questions.

[@2timkat]

Great comment! I don't understand half or more of what Rick Beato talks about regarding music theory, notation, or whatever; I just love his passion for music and his love for the people who do amazing things with music. You are so correct about the legacy he is creating. He's clearly a damned cool guy, and his contribution to humanity is the real thing.

[@papwithanhatchet902]

Oscar Peterson may be the greatest piano player of all time. His understanding of timing, his phrasing, his depth of knowledge, his feel... so incredible. And Dick Cavett was, to me, the best at his job, unparalleled since. You’re good, Rick, and Cavett is a perfect model to fashion your interviews after. Another great video!

[@paul771]

Another great video, Rick…when I was 25 I played a gig on guitar with Oscar and his trio along with the Buffalo Philharmonic. I was the outsider and during one of the tunes Oscar nodded for me to take a solo. He couldn’t have been a sweeter man and though I was nervous and excited, he kept a big encouraging smile on his face the whole time. Thanks for this…!

[@jasonbitter8650]

Thank you Rick! I knew Oscar as he was a friend of my father. He was so talented and completely without any arrogance at all. He was a total gentleman and a great Canadian. I miss him every day. he was on another level and as a human being was just a normal guy. This interview shows what a great guy he was and how insanely talented he was.

[@mmyrrh]

No better tribute to Dick Cavett than this right here! I really hope that he sees this! GREAT video Rick!

[@jetydosa1]

I just watch a guy like this and chuckle. The amount of work, dedication, and ridiculous natural talent, just makes me smile in my soul. Rick brings things like this to us for free about once a week. What a time to be alive

[@clovenwizard]

We have been honoured to have been born in this era Rick, I'm 63 and a gigging touring guitarist 70+ gigs per year 25 years so far.. To watch masters like Oscar and the Virtuoso musicians on KZbin is so inspiring even in my time of life.. Excellent stuff!

[@KennethMoyer-t3y]

I can't physically play anymore, and I still find myself inspired. Dick Cavett was amazing in so many things, but Oscar Peterson is a rare gift to the world beyond measure.

[@ottovangogh9477]

Note: "gigging" is one letter short of laughing. 🤣🤣😯⚡🤯⚡😆

[@bnm0312]

ESPECIALLY in our time of life. I could listen to Oscar all day. And I have.

[@johnfairweather9188]

I met Oscar Peterson in the 1980s when he was the best man at a wedding I was playing at in Ottawa, Canada. He was a gentle man with a great sense of humour and an amazing talent. He will always be remembered.

[@djpenton779]

Excellent video, Beato. Not only was Cavett's interview great, but when I first watched it years ago it changed my musical tastes. As a garage band rock drummer I had never listened to much jazz piano, but Peterson illustrated those style differences so beautifully that I just had to run out and buy some LPs of Oscar. I nearly wore those albums out.

[@bernadetteapps9303]

Another brilliant video Rick, thank you.

[@bsbrum]

I have the lifelong memory of seeing Oscar Peterson play live in San Francisco in 1986, and I have been a *massive* OP fan ever since. I love that you are introducing people to him, he was absolutely phenomenal.

[@mcpribs]

I’m just too young to remember Cavett, but the algorithm introduced him to me about a year ago. Whether it’s a pop star, an actor, a writer, or a world leader, he was a consistent and engaging interviewer. So incredibly thoughtful and quick witted. What an example this interview makes! Great video, as always!

[@nocomment5214]

This has just confirmed to me what a thoughtful and sensitive musician and interviewer you are yourself Rick. A rare breed indeed.

[@thezzach]

Rick’s enthusiasm is sweet and infectious

[@robertesplin8875]

I've seen this interview before and it's one of the best things I've ever seen: he is like the most intelligent and empathetic professor you've ever had. The subtlety and mastery is unrivaled, really, everybody should watch this as a life lesson...

[@joeg7843]

💯

[@jimguerra2509]

My favorite thing about your comment is that it applies equally to both Cavett and Peterson. 😊

[@bobbobson-m4v]

Rick Beato is a national treasure. Seriously. Very rarely do talent and humility appear in equal measure in a person.

[@dianecourtney2724]

Agree ✌🏼

[@daveyvane]

He is good, knowledgeable and articulate. National treasure? Get real groupie.

[@kevinmorrow2788]

The truely talented are usually humble also! In my experience

[@kettonite]

I disagree - he is an international treasure!

[@jeyfoxaigal]

​@@daveyvane😅

[@johnflatley6476]

One of my all time favourite interviews. So glad you featured it Rick.

[@soundandsavor7955]

i have watched this interview countless times over the years. Stunned this was actually allowed on tv. A genius of a musician is given tremendous respect, awesome questions and the space to answer the questions with truly stunning demonstrations on the piano. Fun humour interjected but never at the expense of the music or the musician. One of the greatest musician interviews, ever!

[@Zeno_334]

I can't help but think about all the times this brilliant, incredibly talented musician and compassionate human must have confronted racism from fellow Americans.

[@SBCBears]

@@Zeno_334 And yet, as Rick points out, when would you ever see this on TV in today's progressive times.

[@Alexander_Grant]

@@SBCBears It's more a function of the money than anything today. Why spend enormous amounts of money on creating quality shows like this when you can get the same amount of eyes on screen for garbage. Capitalism has reduced all popular art to what makes the most money instead of what is the highest quality.

[@terryanding2735]

My father was a pop/ classics professional pianist. 40’s-70’s. He Loved Peterson! You brought back memories of him pulling fake books out of the bench, and going off into piano world. With tears in my eyes, here’s a thank you hug. ❤️

[@joelosnoss5371]

You nailed this on the head Rick. Cavett was a great interviewer and Oscar Peterson was generous in sharing his talent - effortlessly.

[@EverettJohnson-js2zw]

To be that much of a genius on the piano and to have a fantastic singing voice, unbelievable.

[@shaire99]

Glad you'll be doing pieces on Cavett's interviews with artists from a multitude of genres, even outside of music. His success comes with his curiosity about everything and his ability to 'learn' from that curiosity. He's always meticulously prepared and that's what puts him far above virtually all other interviewers from the mainstream media.

[@Present4]

Thumbs up if you're not a musician and so especially proud KZbin recommended this to you 🙂

[@VvVN91]

This was a masterclass in how back in the day everything had more substance, general conversation, knowledge, interesting ideas, interests, everything… the music, the inspiration, the time was well spent watching this type content. There’s almost none of this today on this level of interesting. It’s all very mindless today

[@robertcambareri1028]

Even PBS is not what it used to be.

[@rsrhsart]

I really don't think that people have gotten less smart so much as we have gotten intellectually lazy. The old programers maxim " Garbage in, garbage out.".

[@ADavidJohnson]

In 40 years, people will be talking this way about this era of podcasts and video essays. There was a lot of really terrible television back then, too, and it mostly wasn’t preserved. Dick Cavett is a special interviewer, just not representative of that era (or any era).

[@ProclaimHisWord2007]

I met Mr. Peterson in the early nineties when i worked the graveyard shift at World Book and News in Hollywood, CA- i had no idea who he was, but my co-worker (who was a jazz fanatic) instantly recognized him and asked for an autograph. Mr. Peterson was an absolute gentleman and i’ve never forgotten it.

[@tommeyer6033]

Rick! Im so glad you did this… I’ve watched this interview so many times, and it never gets old. Cavett really knew how to be humble yet clever in a perfectly informed way. Not being a musician but a lover of music, clearly defined their noncompetitive relationship. But really, Oscar had something to contribute beyond many of those other musicians he interviewed. He and Cavett seem to have a rapport that existed before the interview even started. Dick made it quite clear who the star was, without fawning or pandering. Quite a skill.

[@audieconrad8995]

Rick, as Duke Ellington said, "if it sounds good, it is good." That includes your interviews, my man. Ask an honest, passionate question, you get an honest passionate answer. Simple, beautiful. Thank you for your knowledge of jazz.

[@matslindeberg]

I’ve watched that Cavett/Oscar interview many times because it’s a master class in interviewing and a stunning showcase of Oscars musicality and virtuosity - and the good vibes are off the charts. An absolute joy to watch. Not surprised Rick loves this clip too. He has precisely the right mindset for a good interviewer - genuine interest in his guests, an obvious desire to learn from them, and a lifetime of music industry experience that allows him to put it in context and bring everything together in a compelling package. Great job. Keep it up :)

[@alexandrebegin3951]

Thank you for being there to make me appreciate not music but the stuff about music! Keep rocking Rick

[@petermendelsohn4944]

I've always loved Dick Cavett; he's got a fierce intelligence, a dry sense of humor, and a deep humility. I saw Oscar play duets with Joe Pass in the seventies in Honolulu. Oscar was an incredible talent. We'll not see his like again. Cavett, too, is one of a kind. Great video!

[@leslieclipp9303]

I love him too!! I never got a full night sleep all the way through high school because his show ran until 1:00 AM and I never missed it. Too bad for me he wasn’t on in the afternoon then, maybe I would have been a better student!

[@boomer3150]

@@leslieclipp9303 Same here.

[@brianpatterson7332]

Oscar and Joe Pass made some wonderful recordings with Stephane Grappelli and Nils Hennig Orsted Pederson. There's also an album featuring Oscar, Stephane, NHOP and a drummer of equal brilliance, Kenny Clarke (who is generally regarded as the fist exponent of what came to be known as the be bop style of drumming). I highly recommend checking those out.

[@ronmurphy5042]

One word comes to mind when I hear the word Rick Beato: "unselfish"..... its never about Rick....its all about the music and Rick always pushes the spotlight away from him to focus on the matter at hand....thats why I never tire of Rick Beato.

[@rdg1266]

A smile came over my face when I saw you featuring this interview! I happened to watch this video a couple of years ago and was equally blown away (I play the piano a bit, and am old enough to know all the musicians being discussed). Oscar was truly one of a kind, a master, and arguably as good a piano player as anyone who ever lived, in my opinion. One might not expect someone like him to be as personable and accessible as he was. Being able to play different styles as he does without needing to pause and think about either what or how he's going to play while carrying on a conversation at full speed is just remarkable. Can such proficiency be achieved nowadays, with the advent of smartphones? I can't help but wonder!

[@frankturrentine]

I remember so many of those interviews. Peterson was my hero as a piano player.

[@gcharouhas]

Dick Cavett was an incredible interviewer, and this is a perfect example. But you, sir, have absolutely taken the art of the interview to a whole new level. Yours are always such a pleasure to watch because you yourself are an artist and you know your subjects. Your channel consistently breaks new ground. Excellent work!

[@vecernicek2]

Dick Cavett was such an intelligent intervewer. You don't see that on mainstream TV anymore.

[@CorbCorbin]

@luke5100 Conan is able to do now, what Dick wanted to, back in the 60’s.

[@joedwyer3297]

Watched all his interviews with Muhammad Ali and Joe Fraiser he was a brilliant interviewer

[@redberdyaev6648]

Just checked, Dick Cavett is still alive.

[@laura7511]

@luke5100 Wokeness is more important than common sense to those people

[@charlesdrake3125]

Tavis Smiley was the last one I can remember, but the Me Too people got him canceled.

[@vgomesbr]

It's so crazy how much you always talk about being inspired by the past, when you are literally building the future. Thank you for everything Rick.

[@aeynosarturii8053]

Rick, I love that you expose your audience to all kinds of musical influences across many genres and generations.

[@TheAccidentalTroubadour]

Rick, more of this please. I can’t articulate what it is you’re doing but I feel like it’s an extension of What Makes This song Great. Our past helps us rediscover our roots. You’re providing a contextual understanding of the soul of the past. Big love to you and the family!

[@chanceotter8121]

There is a great Dick Cavett interview with Paul Simon in early ‘70s where Cavett asks Simon how he writes and gets Paul to go through a song he is trying to complete that turned out to be “Still Crazy After All These Years.” Cavett was a one of a kind. His interviews with artists he admired, from Katherine Hepburn to Jean-Luc Godard, are wonderful examples of the interview as art form long ago lost.

[@evanthorncraft8614]

Freaking WOW. My old man was a double bass player, and one of his favourite muso's was Oscar. I now know why. Thank you so much for highlighting this, Rick. What an amazing interview with an amazing pianist.

[@detbaumann7911]

I'm listening to Oscar Peterson's work for over 50 years now, met him once in Germany, learnt playing bass with his records. Thank you, Rick, for bringing this interview and your admiration to the KZbin community!

[@timothydaniels504]

Back in the 80’s my sister in law was part of a group that managed to convince Oscar Peterson to do a fund raising concert for Dixon Hall, a community centre in Toronto for inner city kids. It was held in Roy Thomson Hall and Oscar brought in Ray Brown, Herb Ellis for the gig and Ron Carter joined them half way through the concert. Oscar had a big impact in the city and had a lot of friends. Another great video Rick!

[@elitefighter15035]

I’m 67 and remember watching Oscar Peterson on TV performing. I didn’t know who he was , and had not studied music yet, but just watching him play one time had forever left this memory of the brilliance he had as a musician. The effect this one time watching Oscar proved to me his greatness. And I’m glad you featured him with Dick Cavett, who was also a genius in how he communicated. Our entertainment world’s standard is so much lower than what it was in this past. Today it’s all about instant and easy gratification.

[@babyboy1971]

My late father was a satirist, advertising man, recording artist and radio actor. His name was Stan Freberg. He was on Dick Cavett and said that Cavett was by far the best interviewer there was, and dad was on Carson, Larry King, tons of others. I love your channel. Dad was also a huge fan of Oscar Peterson. Great show, I’d love to see more of these where you comment on the show you’re watching. Very cool. And yes, KZbin is definitely the new TV!!! Keep up the great comment.

[@225marklin3]

My brother and I were together over the holidays and were reminiscing about our childhood. At one point, we began to quote the Salada Tea and Chung King commercials that always entertained us as kids. "Collar? Teenie, mink collar?" Your dad was a very talented and funny man.

[@dennisbarrett2241]

Your father basically invented the concept of funny commercials. They were often far more entertaining than the shows they sponsored. To this day, I can't walk down the asian food aisle in the supermarket without thinking about him.

[@siriusra2692]

............Dick Cavett was the best..........he even got Jimi Hendrix to open up and joke around with him on National TV....you gotta be good to pull that off......

[@TIMOTHYALLEN-playdrums]

As a session musician and later, TV producer/director, I have to say that Stan Freberg was absolutely legendary for his creativity and talent. Legendary. If I could have dinner with five other people throughout history, he’d be on my invite list.

[@LL-bl8hd]

That's so cool! I hope he was as fun and wonderful as a father as I imagine he was. He was a legend in multiple areas of entertainment, including animation.

[@ManyEagles]

This absolutely made my day better than it already was. Two intelligent, creative, genuinely descent people enjoying and appreciating each others company over music. It doesn't get better than this. What a blessing!

[@jimkeogh8552]

Brilliant find, Rick. And also for Cavett to ask questions for Peterson to answer his “most articulate” way is also brilliant. We already knew of Oscar’s brilliance, and his explanation of what makes different styles what they are and why they work was better education in 5-10 minutes than throughout my life. The facility of their humor and rapport in addition to Oscar’s musical capabilities is beyond any interview I can remember. Great find.

[@ToddKoornneef-iy6jf]

I absolutely love how you bring insight into artists that I would never listen to and bring excitement that I haven't seen with music before. Thank you for bringing this to all of us.

[@gentleman113Tulsa]

Rick, I appreciate you presenting this Osar Peterson interview. It has been one of my favorites I have enjoyed over the years. Osar had a great personality and tremendous talent. I feel like we have lost so many of the greats over the last decade or two. I am thankful you have such a diverse taste in music, and share not only famous pop music but also delve into jazz and the classics. I have always been a music lover and feel the world of music is like a huge banquet where you can put anything on your plate to try. I feel strongly that young people need to take advantage of the Internet to expose themselves to all the amazing artists that have played music over the last 100+ years, there are so many recordings now preserved for everyone to hear. Keep the music and interviews coming!

[@leighgoldthorp6413]

Mr beato , amazing

[@josephhorswell4839]

Rick, I honestly love your heart, knowledge, & appreciation of music so much. Thank you for sharing all that you have experienced. May your wisdom and soul live on in future generations of musicians!

[@deepmusic-sjfsrmusicdepart7837]

Hey Rick! I'm a grade school music teacher and try to remind my students as often as possible that I was born without talent, but rather found inspiration and practiced a lot because I loved music! It's crucial for kids to understand this. I actually want them to dispel the myth of inborn talent as soon as possible. I mean, even if natural talent does exist, I'd rather they don't believe in it..if you know what I'm saying!

[@oomlive]

There is such a thing as the "genius of hard work". Keep up the good work over there.

[@jcee6886]

As a vocal coach, I completely agree.

[@ClaireHoldich]

Fellow music teacher here and I agree, it’s not instant and never should be hailed as such

[@peepsieD]

1000 percent agree! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@davidfleuchaus]

I heard Pat Metheny sound bad one evening whenever he played someone else’s tunes. He had just joined a new tour and wasn’t yet up to speed on the new material. I was floored. It caused me to realize that Pat HAD to work hard to become so masterful.

[@sthulander1]

RICK - Most impressive how you quickly analyzed the intricate 'reharmonization' of Roses/Picardy. Most impressive, sir. And, thank you. I've seen this easy yet profound interview previously, and kind of forgotten about it. Makes me wonder how Dick Cavett came up with his knowledge and questions . . . Oscar responded as the giant he was. WoW !! You just did musicians and listeners a HUGE favor, Rick. Great program.

[@pjmoney7]

Society is too dumbed down today for something this artistic and cultured to be aired and truly appreciated.

[@kalzone60]

Thank you for featuring my man Cavett, and esp the Oscar interview/lesson. Your passion for this kind of thing brings tears to my eyes as I can't compare that happening today but for KZbin archives, certain musicians and folks like you who refuse to relent to current obsequience. Create it, post it, and we will come.

[@x189player4]

Superb - not only do you teach music, you're now showing how to do great interviews. Well done, you're making the world a better place on so many levels

[@ronshelton3633]

Rick, your channel just keeps leveling up in my opinion. I have always loved watching you get excited about music, then sharing cool musicians with us. And now, you are getting excited about things that are tangential to music, such as a super high quality interview from someone that clearly appreciates the person they are speaking with just as much as you do. I love it all the way around.

[@philfitzsimmons616]

Rick, I like the way your interviews leave space and time for an individual’s personality to reveal itself, which answers so many questions all at once.

[@RonCondon]

Rick ,you are a great interviewer simply because you ask, then you listen, without interjecting , or interrupting. Back in the early 70s , I was forming a rock band and recruited a good friend of my younger brother, a Wonderful pianist. This young man's father was a prominent music teacher in our community, his wife was the owner and leader of our local ballet company, which my sister and two younger brothers were involved with. I mean pretty high class dance, performance at Jacob's Pillow etc. Anyway , the young pianists dad appreciated the fact that I had considered his son, for my simple rock band and personally asked me if I would like to attend an event at the UMass Amherst school, featuring the Big O! It was a small auditorium and Mr. Peterson was fantastic. Such a warm , pleasant man. Huge hands that music just dropped off of. I'll never forget that opportunity to listen and meet this genius....Oscar was and is a Giant . And a simple rock guy like me got to meet him personally and listen to his lecture....my lord, I'll never forget that..... Peace

[@michaelp.7893]

Rick, for what's it worth, I am not a musician but I hang out on your channel a lot because of my love for all music. This interview/clinic with Oscar reminds me of the interview you did with Bernard Purdie; they're both like a great story I can't put down. And, oh yeah, Dick Cavett was one of the greatest interviewers of all time. Thank you from a child of the '60s in Syracuse, NY. A+

[@333ministries]

Rick, you've done it again. I have seen this interview many times, and I still enjoy seeing it again. Your presentation of it and explanation of how to do an interview is also well done. I remember the Sting interview, and I gained appreciation more for Sting like I did for Oscar Peterson in Cavetts interview. Thank you for bringing this. You started my day. I wish you well this year 😊😊😊😊😊

[@jadezee6316]

what do you mean he has done it again??? this has been on youtube forever and i have seen it 10 times...you people are funny

[@OneCharmedLife]

⁠@@jadezee6316the commenter is being kind and respectful, as was Cavett, as was Oscar. That’s much of what makes a good interview. I think it's also much of what makes a good comment.

[@flapjackson6077]

Well stated! 👍

[@taylormaines9909]

I am a massive Oscar Peterson fan, I just didn't know it until a couple years ago. Been a giant fan of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald and always absolutely loved the piano music on a lot of their records. Then found out it was Oscar. Then I went down a rabbit hole and listen to him all the time. Your video, appreciation, and enthusiasm about music, as well as the production quality of your channel is amazing. I am always tuning in, keep it up good sir! Cheers

[@kevinsodyelias9740]

* I'm with you taylor!!!

[@kitano0]

I would highly recommend "Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers" album. It's got Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass backing him up. A fantastic album. Oscar and his bands backed up a lot of people on albums, they were like Booker T and MG's at Stax!

[@pigknickers2975]

My father loved Oscar and I am starting today. I'm blown away. My dad always said he could play a 13th with one hand and then a F13 came up in the notation. 😃

[@tetreaulthank4068]

Rick, I’m 70 years old at this time and you and your channel have been such a gift to me as well as so many others. I’ve always loved music of all kinds but the education i’ve received from your channel has opened my ears and allowed me to hear things I never would have ever imagined before so I just had to thank you for this wonderful gift.

[@frankiegutierrez5737]

I'm not a pianist but this brought chills to my spine, what an unbelievable talent and interview. BTW the beard looks great, Rick

[@craigreuter1112]

I’m so glad that Oscar accepted invitations to shows like this. He left us with gems like this beyond his recordings. There’s another wonderful one where Oscar and Andre Previn do something similar on a stage in front of a large audience , except Previn was a fellow world class classical pianist. They even jammed together on some jazz tunes.

[@TigerBoyRS]

Yes, this is so gooood! It does not matter if the audience knows music theory or not. As said, this was an afternoon TV show... It "just" shows how real, connected and professional, people can be. The host showing his timing quality and homework. The artist, generous and able to perfectly explain the moods and tricks of jazz musicians. Thank you Rick Beato, for the insight, the ability to share this special moment, back in 1979. Insightful communication. Cheers from 🇵🇹

[@sky1luv793]

I have never heard of Oscar Peterson. I will have to check this man out. This was amazing!

[@fogwalker4803]

As usual ...Extremely well spotted Rick. Dick Cavett was always the consummate pro interviewer...And Oscar was just mind blowing talented. His hands could truly groove at any speed or feel or style he desired .Or even better... just carve out a new and even more bewildering and miraculous one of his own. He has never failed to astonish me for my entire life...even watching today. Thank you so much for this Rick. Really !

[@jimmipadge]

Im glad youtube has all of these historic conversations and interviews available at our fingertips. No doubt, a few of Rick’s interviews will be labeled “must watch” in the catalogue for generations to come. Love it!

[@imabigfanshow783]

As someone who has done a ton of interviews… what makes a good interviewer is: 1. Being a great listener. 2. Being prepared. 3. Being willing to go ‘off script’ when needed. Rick… you do all of these. Great job.

[@MarkTarmannPianoCheck_it_out]

and having good staff writers to hip you to what he COULDN't POSSIBLY understand as a non musician

[@NC17z]

Rick, I just want to take a moment to thank you for what you've done for music and musicians everywhere. I'm 56 years old, and I've spent my life immersed in music, watching as school music programs have been slowly removed, and the focus in popular music shifted away from learning instruments and understanding music theory. It’s heartbreaking to see how many young people today are growing up without the chance to discover their musical potential-whether that's the beauty of perfect pitch, or the joy of understanding chords, scales, and harmony. They are missing out on what makes music truly timeless. But then there’s you, Rick. You are a beacon of hope in what sometimes feels like a musical crisis. The work you're doing with your channel-whether it's breaking down the intricacies of a song, interviewing the legends of our time, or explaining complex music theory in a way that's accessible-has the potential to inspire a new generation of musicians who care about the craft. You ask the questions we all want to ask, and you give us the answers we’ve been yearning for. You are doing what few others are: keeping real musicianship alive and accessible. In my heart, I believe you are helping to 'save music' as we know it, bringing it back into focus for people who might otherwise never experience its true depth. You deserve a place in music history as one of the greatest contributors of our time-not just for what you've created, but for what you're preserving. You are a bridge between the greats of the past and the potential in the future, and for that, I (and so many others) are deeply grateful. Thank you, Rick, for everything you do.

[@sandrafrida]

I'm blown away!! My mother used to have all kinds of jazz musicians coming to our flat in Copenhagen in the 60's and 70's, Dexter Gordon, Ben Webster, NHØP, and maybe even Mr. Peterson..? I remember a lunch in Tivoli with Miles Davis and his cousin Herman. Miles asked my mother if she would swap rings with him..!!!! I still have that ring - of course. All of these guys were so incredibly nice to me and mostly very softspoken and showed a genuine interest towards this little Danish kid. Just fantastic.

[@Dan-zq5wt]

This is so brilliant! Our current society has dumbed itself down to a frightening level. You’d never hear anything like this on TV now.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

👍🏻 we need another renaissance or something 🙏

[@jimfritz2087]

I agree with most of what you said. But , America certainly is dumbed down. And that is another conversation for another day. Best Wishes

[@RoeShamBoe]

@@luke5100 First, KZbin is literally a "central repository" just like TV and radio of previous generations... they curate what you see. Same with apple music or spotify, everything is still curated for you by someone else... just because there's more of something (more channels, more avenues to get content), that's not a substantial difference... it's merely a difference of degree and not kind but it's still "meet the new boss same as the old boss" Also, society has def gotten dumber and studies have shown it.... every successive generation up to 1975 was smarter than the previous generation. Since 1975 every successive generation has gotten dumber. it's a scientifically proven fact. just google "dumber since 1975" and you'll see. Kids born today are literally generations dumber than people born before 1975.

[@snowfiresunwind]

@@jesusislukeskywalker4294 Definitely!

[@CorbCorbin]

@@jimfritz2087 North, south, Central? Don’t make assertions about dumbness, when you aren’t even able to use the term “dumbed down,” correctly. Just say “people are certainly dumber now,” in the U.S., unless you actually meant something different, but most who say “Americans,” are referring to the U.S.

[@kenphillips3282]

Thank you Rick for playing and commenting on this extraordinary interview. I grew up in the jazz era and Oscar was one of my favourite players and as a musician, this interview was mind bending. And I remember how George Burns sounded 🤣🤣🤣

[@mxfxdlg]

First OP interview I’ve ever seen. What an absolutely astounding personality. Could you imagine just sitting and talking with him for hours? I’m tearing up just thinking about it.