The film “Oscar Peterson: Black White” will be released on Friday, February 2.
The documentary film is dedicated to Oscar Peterson, the jazz pianist from Canada. Known as the “Emperor of the Keyboard,” Peterson, who would celebrate his 100th birthday in 2025, was renowned for his bright piano style and extraordinary virtuosity, so much so that Louis Armstrong once dubbed him the “man with four hands.” He had a illustrious career, receiving eight Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, until his passing in 2007.
Despite his musical achievements, Peterson also experienced racial discrimination. His composition “Hymn To Freedom,” created in 1962, remains a symbolic piece associated with the civil rights movement.
The film includes interviews, performance footage, and scenes from the civil rights movement of the 1960s. It also includes interviews with Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, John Batiste, Clint Eastwood, Ray Charles, and others, as well as Oscar Peterson’s family.
Oscar Peterson: Black White
Director: Barry Avrich
Cast: Billy Joel, Quincy Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Herbie Hancock, Branford Marsalis, John Batiste, Kelly Peterson (wife), etc.
Subtitles: Sanpei Yamaguchi
2020/Produced in Canada/81 min.
Official website https://www.oscarpetersonmovie.com/
