The 1952-54 Songbook Albums issued pristine & complete for the first time in 50 years (Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, Vincent Youmans, Harold Arlen, Harry Warren, Jimmy McHugh).
Plus sessions with Bllie Holiday, Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, Ben Webster, Lester Young, Flip Phillips and the entire performances from the 1953 Jazz At The Philharmonic issue.
In addition to the legendary artists mentioned above, and the various members of the Oscar Peterson Trio (Barney Kessel, Herb Ellis & Ray Brown), other greats also featured are:
Harry “Sweets“ Edison, Charlie Shavers, Joe Newman, Roy Eldridge, Bill Harris, Paul Quinichette, Benny Carter, Willie Smith, Freddie Green, Alvin Stoller, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, J. C. Heard, Gus Johnson, Ed Shaugnessy, Gene Krupa.
Total playing time: 12 hours 51 mins 28 sec.
CD 1: Oscar Peterson plays Cole Porter & Duke Ellington (78:26)
CD 2: Oscar Peterson plays Irving Berlin & George Gershwin (76:51)
CD 3: Oscar Peterson plays Jerome Kern & Richard Rodgers (73:37)
CD 4: Oscar Peterson plays Vincent Youmans & Harold Arlen (79:25)
CD 5: Oscar Peterson plays Harry Warren & Jimmy McHugh (76:46)
CD 6: Oscar Peterson sessions with Billie Holiday (76:46)
CD 7: Oscar Peterson sessions with Flip Phillips, Ben Webster plus Billie Holiday & Harold Arlen (conclusions) 74:24)
CD 8: Oscar Peterson sessions with Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz & Lester Young (76:45)
CD 9: Oscar Peterson with Norman Granz’ Jazz At The Philharmonic (Carnegie Hall 1953) – Part 1 (79:33)
CD 10: Oscar Peterson with Norman Granz’ Jazz At The Philharmonic (Carnegie Hall 1953) – Part 2 (78:55).
There are at least five Oscar Petersons on display on this comprehensive 10 x CD Box Set representing Oscars work with the legendary Norman Granz and celebrating his 80th birthday on August 15th 2005.......the virtuoso soloist, the leader of a rapidly evolving piano trio, the master accompanist, the indefatigable anchor of the Jazz At The Philharmonic rhythm section, and the devoted chronicler of the American popular song.
CD's 1-5 of AVID's Re- mastered set focuses on Oscars rather neglected work interpreting the Great American Songbook where he and Granz "tried to draw more people into jazz", including works by Kern, Arlen, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Gershwin amongst many others.
CD 6 features Oscars first session with Granz as he accompanies the legendary Billie Holiday across 16 sides that show his talent as an accompanist.
CD's 7-8 capture Oscars collaboration with four leading tenor sax men, Lester Young, Ben Webster, Stan Getz getting fired up with Dizzy Gillespie and a rare session with the unique Flip Phillips.
CD's 9-10 features the entire 1954 issue from the JATP, including Oscar playing alongside such names as Lester Young, Bill Harris and Ray Brown.
Complete with a fine essay by Dr Richard Palmer AVID's latest release is a testament to a great pianist whose courage, dedication and sheer will shine through in his playing and to a great partnership with his friend, mentor and patron Norman Granz.