Hi John, BOTH Oscar & Gordon are people who I've always admired...in different ways! I heard Gordon on one of my first trips to Canada.....& I was hooked! AND a true story re Oscar Peterson......

I had heard Oscar, in a concert hall in Glasgow when I was just starting to appreciate all kinds of Jazz....a wonderful night.......he stormed them....and you could have heard a 'pin drop' when he was playing! Forward a couple of years......the EMI record company had sent me over to USA to promote my records...(another story there!). I was doing all kinds of TV, radio breakfast shows.
I saw that Oscar was appearing in a hotel lounge in New York! Booked a ticket......when Oscar appreared.... great applause! As the progamme continued, there was quite a bit of 'conversation' going on around me. I was quite upset.....tried to "SHHSH" the ones around me.....(I mean Oscar had total silence for his numbers in Glasgow! ) It was only later, when I mentioned this to a waiter....that he explained......it was NOT a concert , but a lounge performance, and the audience was really appreciative!
On other later trips I saw & apppreciated many other Jazzers in halls, & even bars....MARVELLOUS! BUT I still remember the embarassment of my 'social gaffe' as a visitor!
Keep on getting better John. Regards, Joe G. ****Have you thought of publishing your contributions to the forum as a series of "essays" ?!! Wonderful humorous stuff John!

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