The Lamp Is Low – 1969

Oscar Peterson

Click here if you have a memory of this artist that you’d like to share

–

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube

Normally “The Lamp Is Low,” a melody whose origin is from a much lengthier classical piece by Maurice Ravel, is played as a melodic ballad.

Pianist Oscar Peterson had other ideas.

Instead of treating “The Lamp Is Low” as a ballad, this performance from a 1969 concert is taken at a really blazing tempo.

It starts with short solos by drummer Bobby Durham and bassist Sam Jones before Peterson dives into the piece with a flurry of notes that few could possibly duplicate.

-Scott Yanow

Click here if you have a memory of this artist that you’d like to share

–

Click here to Support Jazz on the Tube