Jazz Pianist Oscar Peterson Honoured

Oscar Peterson Honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award

Living legend Oscar Peterson, one of Canada’s most recognized jazz musicians, was honoured this past weekend at the 2006 African Canadian Achievement Awards, held at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts.

Peterson, 80, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He was one of 16 recipients, recognized for excellence in a variety of categories including arts and entertainment, business, education, media, law, religion, and others.

“To be recognized in your home is something special to me,” Peterson said after arriving with his wife and daughter. “I was very excited about this — very, very excited.”

The jazz pianist, who has played with such luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Nat King Cole and Duke Ellington, was surrounded by beaming family members as gala attendees posed for pictures with him.

“He is simply phenomenal,” said Michael Van Cooten, the founder and CEO of the African Canadian Achievement Awards. “He has just accomplished so much, not only in (music), but he’s done so much for the African-Canadian community.”