Montreal jazz pianist Oscar Peterson would have turned 100 today, Aug. 15, and to honour the legend the SDC Les Quartiers du Canal is inviting the public to a tribute evening on Friday at Oscar Peterson Park in Little Burgundy, the neighbourhood where he was born and raised.
Artists from the Montreal jazz scene, members of the local community, and music enthusiasts are coming together to pay tribute to a monument of the city’s cultural heritage.
“Oscar Peterson: 100 Years of a Legend” is an event offering a free and friendly open-air celebration starting at 4 p.m.
Official speeches will then be followed by a panel discussion on Oscar Peterson’s legacy.
“Oscar Peterson is a treasure of our musical history and an inspiring example of excellence,” said Cyrille Bodiot, director of the SDC Les Quartiers du Canal.
“Paying tribute to him in the park that bears his name is a tribute to his career and to the entire community that saw him grow up,” he added. “Obtaining a grant to make this project a reality was a great feeling for us, because it allows us to give back to Little Burgundy through a meaningful gesture.”
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The stage is expected to host a succession of renowned artists and emerging Montreal musicians such as Oliver Jones, Michelle Sweeney, Coco Thompson, Julian McIntosh & Jazz Quartet.
“This project, carried out hand in hand with the community, has given rise to new friendships, sincere collaborations, and a great deal of emotion,” said Bodiot. “It is an entire community that pays tribute to him with pride and authenticity.”
Though it will be filled with it, the event isn’t limited to music.
Starting at 4:30 p.m., the park is set to also come alive with several participatory and cultural activities, including a reading of the book “My Neighbour Oscar.”
There will also be a participatory painting workshop with Julien Kandolo, and the exhibition “Clichés d’Oscar,” a unique selection of photos from Oscar Peterson’s personal archives.
“Oscar Peterson is not only a global jazz icon, but also a powerful symbol of Little Burgundy and Black Montreal culture,” the SDC Quartier du Canal wrote in a news release. “This event is intended as much as an artistic celebration as a moment of collective memory.”
