© Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

Playboy first published its jazz poll-ballot in the October 1956 issue, where it quickly grew in popularity as more and more readers began to cast their votes for their favourite jazz musicians each year. Not surprisingly, Oscar Peterson was awarded a certificate of merit in 1957, and was voted Best Jazz Pianist from 1961 to 1966, 1968 to 1969 and again in 1975. 1

Oscar Peterson's 1957 Playboy All-Star Award of Merit Certificate © Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

Transcription:

PLAYBOY MAGAZINE AWARDS THIS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT TO

Oscar Peterson

For having been nominated as one of the outstanding jazz artists of the year in the 1957 PLAYBOY ALL-STAR JAZZ POLL.

This certificate is awarded upon the recommendation of a nominating board composed of jazz critics and representatives of America’s major recording studios.

[signature]

EDITOR & PUBLISHER, PLAYBOY

Presented by
[signature]
[signature]

Letter from Hugh Hefner congratulating Oscar on his “Best Jazz Pianist” recognition for the Playboy All-Star readers poll of 1966. © Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

Transcription:

PLAYBOY

232 east ohio, chicago, illinois 60611
Hugh M. Hefner     editor-publisher

Mr. Oscar Peterson
19 Park Rd.
Toronto 5, Ontario
Canada

Dear Oscar:

It is my pleasure to inform you that you have been voted a winner in the 1966 Playboy All-Star Jazz Poll. My heartiest congratulations.

Attached is the February 1966 Issue of PLAYBOY in which you and your fellow winners of this years balloting are featured in an article beginning on page 79.

As you know, winning this award represents quite an accomplishment, since PLAYBOY’s is by far the largest and most widely read poll in jazz today.

You will be contacted shortly concerning the presentation of your engraved silver PLAYBOY medallion -- an impressive symbol of the status you hold in the world of contemporary music.

Once again, my congratulations and best wishes.

Cordially,

[signature]

Hugh M. Hefner
Editor-Publisher

HMH:mjb

Encl.


Footnotes

1 Moody, Lois K.   Oscar Peterson Exhibition: Phase 1 (Display Resource Survey and Assessment):   December 1997.