In this episode of Canadian Time Machine, we explore the life, music, and legacy of jazz legend Oscar Peterson on what would have been his 100th birthday. We hear from jazz pianist Taurey Butler about the profound influence Peterson has had on his own music. Then we meet Kelly Peterson, Oscar’s wife and trustee of his estate, who shares personal stories and insights into the man behind the music. Featuring the performances of both Oscar and Taurey, this episode celebrates a Canadian icon whose joy, artistry, and advocacy continue to inspire musicians and audiences around the world.

Listen to the episode:

Angela Misri: This year marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, pianist, composer, Canadian trailblazer and one of the greatest jazz artists of all time.
Welcome to Canadian Time Machine, a podcast that explores key milestones in our country’s history. I’m Angela Misri.

Born in August 1925, Oscar’s fingers danced across the keys with a speed and precision that left audiences breathless. He broke barriers as a black Canadian artist, earning international fame at a time when the music world and the world at large was far from fair. His music inspired, challenged and open doors. And that influence hasn’t faded. Musicians everywhere still feel it.

Taurey Butler: I think it’s global. I don’t think it’s limited to any one particular area. I tell people that sometimes too, like Oscar Peterson, I’ve never heard somebody’s name said with more accents in my life. He’s known everywhere.

Angela Misri: Meet Taurey Butler.

Taurey Butler: I am originally from New Jersey. I’ve been in Montreal about 15 years now, and I’m a jazz pianist, and Oscar Peterson is the biggest influence for me. He is the person I heard that made me really want to pursue jazz

Angela Misri: For Taurey the piano came early, but jazz and Peterson came later.

Taurey Butler: I started off there was a weekend program, and they asked me, you can do violin or piano. And so I chose piano. And that continued until I was 14, and I was on my way to the lesson, I remember telling my mother, I don’t want to do it anymore, almost in tears, because I was just so frustrated. But I realized that what I was frustrated about was that I wasn’t playing music that I wanted to play. And it was then my band director, he gave me a recording of Oscar Peterson.

Taurey Butler: I think it was cassette tape that was dubbed so I didn’t know where it came from. I just knew I enjoyed listening to it. I never knew the piano could sound like that. It’s the first time I heard a piano just, I don’t want to say dance, but just like, just flow, but feel good as well, too. You know, technically at another level as well, too. It was, it was a mix of everything from you, and that’s how I got into jazz.

Angela Misri: That first recording, the solo piano album, My Favorite Instrument from 1968, lit a passion in Tory that would carry him from New Jersey through Asia and finally to Montreal, Oscar Peterson’s own hometown.

Taurey Butler: I was working in Asia, and there was a gentleman from Montreal who had told me that’d be great if you could come to Montreal. You actually turned out to be a pianist who worked at the House of Jazz.

Angela Misri: The House of Jazz was one of Montreal’s most celebrated jazz venues, which unfortunately closed down in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. But back in the early 2000s it gave Taurey something most budding musicians could only dream of, steady work.

Taurey Butler: I was given carte blanche to, just, you know, entertain with my trio and well people, from what I understand, they received it very well.

Angela Misri: And living in Montreal has brought Taurey closer to his biggest musical inspiration.

Taurey Butler: I’ve been able to make connections with people who are connected with them. I was able to actually meet his wife and his daughter as well too. And they’re both great people, and it’s kind of trippy and surreal for me to meet people who were so close to the man that you know had such a great influence on my life. And yeah, no Montreal, his spirit lives on here. So little part of the reason I came here just to kind of feel his aura in this wonderful city.

Angela Misri: And over time, that influence has shaped Taurey’s own style. You can hear traces of Oscar Peterson in his playing, even as he makes the music his own.

Taurey Butler: I’m influenced by literally everything that I’ve heard, because it has an effect on you. But when I kind of strayed away a little bit, there was a period where I was trying to, you know, emulate more modern quote, unquote pianists, and always found myself returning back to Oscar Peterson. And I get that when people come up to me after a show and say, is Oscar Peterson influence to you? And I say, yes, there is. It’s a big part of my style.

Angela Misri: But for Taurey, music has always been more than technique or style. It’s about reaching people, helping them feel and reminding them of what matters.

Taurey Butler: I was playing at the House of Jazz. It was very gaudy, like a lot of chandeliers and a lot of tourists that would come by, just because the owner had very eclectic style. So it was very unique. And I took the first break, I went to the bar, and the person got my attention, and he told me, I just had the worst week of my life, and for the last hour, you made me forget all about it. And that to this day, has been one of the greatest compliments I ever got, where I really started to understand this is why I do what I do. You know, it’s not about being flashy. It’s about being able to help and be of service to others and just help them feel things, you know, help them get through difficult times, you know. And that’s been the most rewarding thing about what I do

Angela Misri: For Taurey, Oscar Peterson’s music is more than that first cassette tape from his high school band. It’s a guide, a mentor and a legacy. And in Montreal, you can........

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