Oscar Peterson was born in August 15, 1925. He grew up in Montreal where he was trained in classical music, but he always loved jazz. When he was young he used to sneak into the living room and turn on the radio. He’d listen to it very quietly so that he didn’t wake up anyone else in the house.

Peterson was greatly influenced by Art Tatum. When his father first played him a song by Tatum, he asked his father who the piano players were. He was shocked to find out that it was only one person playing the piano and wondered if he would ever be able to play like that.

This is a 1986 performance at the Bern International Jazz Festival.