A memorial concert celebrating the life of the late jazz great Oscar Peterson is being organized for next week in Toronto.

Former Ontario premier Bob Rae, National Arts Centre head Peter Herrndorf and Brian Robertson, former chair of the Canadian Recording Industry Association, are among the pianist's prominent friends organizing the event for the afternoon of Jan. 12 at Roy Thomson Hall.

A public memorial concert Jan. 12 will honour Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, seen here on his 80th birthday in 2005.A public memorial concert Jan. 12 will honour Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, seen here on his 80th birthday in 2005.
(Nathan Denette/Canadian Press)

The 90-minute show will be free to the public and feature film and video highlights from throughout Peterson's career, as well as musical and spoken tributes. It will also be broadcast live on CBC Radio One at 4 p.m. ET.

Entitled Oscar Peterson — Simply the Best, the concert will feature broadcaster Valerie Pringle as host, performances by soprano Measha Brueggergosman and several choirs as well as speeches about Peterson by family friend Rae and Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean.

It will take place a day after an event honouring Peterson during the International Association of Jazz Educators' annual conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

At that tribute, organized by the Canada Council for the Arts and the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts, longtime Peterson friend and colleague Oliver Jones is set to perform.

Peterson died at his home in Mississauga, Ont., on Dec. 23 at age 82.

Since his death, music fans have hailed the Montreal-born pianist for his virtuoso talent, stellar achievements, warm personality and memorable performances.

With files from the Canadian Press