© York University

Transcription :

Nov. 28, 1985
vol. 16, no. 7
ISSN 0827-522X,

[Photo:] Music department chair James McKay (left) and President Harry Arthurs (right) welcome Oscar Peterson as Adjunct Professor of jazz.

President Harry Arthurs has announced the appointment of Oscar Peterson, renowned jazz pianist, as Adjunct Professor of Music in jazz studies, Faculty of Fine Arts. President Arthurs also announced that Prof. Peterson will perform a benefit concert for York on Feb. 15, 1986, at Roy Thomson Hall.

"I admire the Music Department's progressive attitude, which encourages well-respected jazz artists to participate in its programs," says Prof. Peterson.

"I've been fortunate to have a successful jazz career, and I believe it's now my turn to use that experience to help direct students."

Prof. Peterson will teach in the areas of performance and theory.

Jim McKay, chair of the music department, considers Oscar Peterson "a jazz legend and a cultural resource who will help enhance our students' knowledge of jazz history and performance."

The music department, established in 1970, is based on the principle of specialization in one or more areas within a broad musical education. Students choose from several individualized programs of study including performance, composition, theory and analysis, and historical and cultural studies.

Within the performance area, jazz studies is the most developed music degree program in the country. It features a systematic approach to jazz improvisation and includes instruction in jazz theory as well as composition and arranging.

Prof. Peterson will be working with undergraduate and graduate students.

Nominated 10 times for the U.S. Grammy Award, Prof. Peterson has won four Grammys to date. In 1978 he was one of the first recipients of the Juno Award from the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. The award was presented for "his contribution toward the greater international recognition of Canadian artists and music."

Prof. Peterson, who made his successful Carnegie Hall debut in 1949, has recorded with most of the jazz greats over the years, including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie.

In recent years, Prof. Peterson has devoted more time to composition. His "Hymn to Freedom" was one of the crusade hymns during the Civil Rights movement in the U.S.; he composed the music for Big North, a film at Ontario Place, and the music for a movie thriller "Silent Partner" and he recently completed a composition for trio and orchestra as a tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach's 300th birthday at Roy Thomson Hall.

Composition is still a major focus for Prof. Peterson, presently working on "A Suite Called Africa."

Prof. Peterson is a member of the Order of Canada, and an honorary graduate of York University, Carleton University, Queen's University, Concordia University, Mount Allison University, McMaster University, University of Toronto, University of Victoria and Northwestern University.

Canadian pianist Oscar Peterson will perform a benefit concert for York University on Feb. 15, 1986, at Roy Thomson Hall.

Ticket prices range from $15.50 to $35.50. All proceeds will be directed towards establishing an Oscar Peterson Scholarship for Jazz Studies at York University.

For advance tickets, contact the Roy Thomson Hall Box Office (593-4828), 60 Simcoe Street (at King Street West) or the Massey Hall Box Office, Shuter Street (East of Yonge Street).

Tickets will be on sale at York University Dec. 2, at the bookstore reception desk Mondays to Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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