Oscar Peterson -- Simply The Best

Last night two more additions to this Saturday's tribute to Oscar Peterson were announced -- legendary singer Nancy Wilson (that album she did with Cannonball Adderly still sends shivers), and Quebec singing star (and host of Radio 2's own In The Key Of Charles), Gregory Charles. Many other great musicians are also involved (Monty Alexander! Quincy Jones!) and full details are further along in this post.

The concert, held at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, is free, no advance tickets -- I predict they'll be lining up for hours. But if you can't actually be at the concert, CBC is providing the next best thing, with the following broadcasts:

Oscar Peterson, Simply The Best live at 4:05pm – 6:00pm on CBC Radio 1, and Sirius 137 at 4:05pm eastern - 6:00pm.

Radio 2 and SRC Espace Musique at 8:05pm – 10:00pm. Also, as I've mentioned, it WILL be available as a Concert On Demand as well, likely sometime on the weekend.

Meantime, tonight on Tonic (6 p.m.), don't forget that you can hear Part Six of the documentary series About Oscar, this episode called About Canada, where Peterson talks about his sense of Canada, his major work dedicated to the country, the Canadiana Suite, his fight to promote ethnic diversity in Canadian advertising, and some of his frustrations with the country as well.

Now here is the full scoop on Saturday's tribute concert, via the official press release:

Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Phil Nimmons, Gregory Charles, Andrew Craig Among Those Joining Oscar Peterson – Simply the Best , The Tribute Concert to be Broadcast Live by CBC Radio

(Toronto – January 8, 2008) Multi-Grammy Award winner and consummate song stylist Nancy Wilson will perform at Oscar Peterson – Simply the Best, a memorial concert tribute to the great musician Saturday, January 12 at 4:00pm at Roy Thomson Hall.

Quincy Jones and Phil Nimmons will share their memories of Mr. Peterson as will Celine Peterson, Oscar’s 16 year-old daughter. Mr. Jones is the all-time most nominated Grammy artist (76 nominations, 26 awards) Emmy Award recipient, and seven-time Oscar nominee. Phil Nimmons won the inaugural Juno Award for best jazz album (The Atlantic Suite,1977), received the inaugural Toronto Arts Award in the music category (1986). He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and National Jazz Awards in the clarinettist of the year category in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Mr. Nimmons was Oscar’s friend and collaborator for over 50 years.

The 90-minute celebration of Mr. Peterson’s life is free to the public and is NOT a ticketed event. The doors of Roy Thomson Hall will open at 3:00pm and the audience will be seated on a first come-first serve basis. The line-up will be directed along King Street West. As there is limited parking, it is advisable to use the TTC.

Previously announced speakers are Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada and avid pianist Bob Rae.

Oscar Peterson - Simply the Best will be broadcast live at 4:05pm – 6:00pm by CBC Radio One and Sirius 137 at 4:05pm ET - 6:00pm. The broadcast will be repeated at 8:05pm – 10:00pm by CBC Radio Two and by SRC Espace Musique 8:05pm - 10:00pm

Quebec pianist/singer/composer/conductor/radio host Gregory Charles, whose one man show Noir et Blanc has delighted audiences in Canada, the United States and Europe, has joined the list of outstanding performers for Oscar Peterson – Simply the Best.

Magnificent soprano Measha Brueggergosman will join the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, the University of Toronto Gospel Choir and the Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale, under the musical direction of multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, director, composer and broadcaster of Andrew Craig, to perform one of Mr. Peterson’s best- loved compositions Hymn to Freedom.

The band for the afternoon is composed of musicians who, for decades, were colleagues and friends of Mr. Peterson: Jeff Hamilton on drums; Dave Young on bass; guitarist Ulf Wakenius and Monty Alexander on piano.

Oscar Peterson-Simply the Best is produced by Brian Robertson, Chair Emeritus of The Canadian Recording Industry Association and by the National Arts Centre. The Oscar Peterson Tribute Committee is co-chaired by Peter Herrndorf, President and CEO of the National Arts Centre, The Honourable Bob Rae, past chair of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Mr. Robertson. The Tribute Committee wishes to express its gratitude to Roy Thomson Hall and to TDCanada Trust Music for their support and generosity.

Parking is extremely limited, and patrons are strongly advised to take the TTC

The line up will extend west on King Street.