A Piano Lesson with Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson
“The Dick Cavett Show”
Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube
Oscar Peterson made a notable appearance as a guest on the “Dick Cavett Show,” a popular television program hosted by Dick Cavett. The show originally debuted in the 1960s on ABC and later transitioned to several other channels, continuing its run until 2007.
During the episode, Dick Cavett and Oscar Peterson engage in a discussion centered around the distinctive stylistic characteristics of prominent jazz figures. These include Art Tatum’s stride piano technique, Nat Cole’s unique two-fingered percussion style, and Erroll Garner’s skillful work with lyric octaves.
In a remarkable moment, the esteemed host, Dick Cavett, even manages to coax a rare sung verse out of Oscar Peterson, adding an unexpected musical dimension to the conversation.
Reflecting on the past, one can’t help but ponder whether contemporary talk show hosts would endeavor to engage in such intellectually stimulating dialogues with individuals of Peterson’s caliber, as was skillfully done during that era of television.
