Born in Montreal, Canada, Peterson began learning trumpet and piano from his father at the age of five, but by the age of seven, after a bout of tuberculosis, he concentrated on the piano. Some of the artists who influenced Peterson during the early years were Teddy Wilson, Nat "King" Cole, James P. Johnson, and the legendary Art Tatum, to whom many have tried to compare Peterson in later years. In fact, one of his first exposures to the musical talents of Art Tatum came early in his teen years when his father played an Art Tatum record to him and Peterson was so intimidated by what he heard that he didn't touch the piano for over a week.
He soon developed a reputation as a technically brilliant and melodically inventive jazz pianist, and became a regular on Canadian radio. His United States introduction was at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1949 by Norman Granz; owing to union restrictions his appearance could not be billed.
Some of his musical associates have included Lester Young, Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Stéphane Grappelli, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, Count Basie, and Stan Getz. An important step in his career was joining impresario Norman Granz's labels (especially Verve records) and Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic package, with which he was able to play with the major jazz artists of the time. Granz was also his manager for most of Peterson's career. Some cognoscenti assert that Peterson's best recordings were made for the MPS label in the late 'sixties and early 'seventies. For some years subsequently he recorded for Granz's Pablo Records after the label was founded in 1973 and in more recent years for the Telarc label.
In 1993, Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years. However he overcame this setback and went back to touring, recording, and composing on a limited basis. In 1997 he received a Grammy for Lifetime Achievement and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award. He died on December 24th, 2007 of kidney failure.
Danny Boy
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
The lyrics of Oscar Peterson's "Danny Boy" are about love, loss, and farewell to a loved one who must leave. The song is a lament from someone who is bidding farewell to their beloved "Danny Boy". The person singing the song is standing in a beautiful location with "pipes" calling out to Danny Boy to come back. The setting is a glen with a mountain side in view. The lyrics are beautifully written and convey the message that the singer will wait for Danny Boy despite his departure. The specific reference to "summer's gone, and all the roses falling" symbolizes the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitability of death.
The singer tells Danny Boy to come visit when the valley is covered in snow or with the arrival of summertime. They express their undying love to Danny Boy and say they will be waiting for him no matter what. Through the second verse, they acknowledge that death is inevitable, and if Danny Boy ever visits the singer's grave, they should say an Ave. Nonetheless, the singer assures Danny Boy that their love will make the singer's final resting place warm and sweet, and they will sleep in peace until Danny Boy's next visit.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
Danny, the Irish pipes are playing a mournful tune that beckons you.
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side.
This tune echoes throughout the valleys and mountains of Ireland.
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling,
The warm season is over and the flowers, like life, are fading away.
It's you, it's you must go and I must bide.
You must leave me behind and go on with your life's journey.
But come ye back when summer's in the meadow,
However, please come back during the happy time of summer.
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow,
Or perhaps in the peaceful and pure stillness of winter.
It's I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow,
I'll be here for you, whether in good times or bad.
Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so!
Danny, my love for you is immeasurable.
But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying,
But if you return when all life is fading,
If I am dead, as dead I well may be,
If I have passed away, as is the way of all things,
You'll come and find the place where I am lying,
Find my resting place and visit me still.
And kneel and say an Ave there for me.
Take a moment to say a prayer for my soul.
And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me,
I will hear you, even if you walk softly over me.
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be,
My afterlife will be more pleasant knowing you've come to visit me.
For you will bend and tell me that you love me,
Because you'll bend down and remind me of your love.
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me!
I will rest easy and wait for you to join me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: Frederick E. Weatherly
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leo Coleman
It's so amazing how he gets that deep bagpipe like groan sound. Absolute command of that instrument.
Eristhenes
This is "too marvelous for words". It's my favorite Art Tatum transcription.
untoa
this guy is so on his own he is a genius - 'nuff said
Pardo Dominique
Genius Genius ! With Bill Evans and Michel Petruccianni (and others of course) the three great jazz pianists for me. I listen to Mr Art Tatum and i'm dreaming one day he'll come back like an angel to teach us to be sensible. Thanks a lot Sir.
the godfather
Après Dieu , en ce mois de Décembre , je passe ma journée avec Michel Petrucciani 😔
ltravail
Tony Bennett said he named his son Danny after witnessing Art Tatum bring a bar roomful of Irishmen to tears with a rendition of "Danny Boy."
KareemByEar1Year
Ludicrous!...Even Art Tatum's most "boring" piece of work is a masterpiece by any standard...One may not favor him...Many people would make different decisions, but his story speaks of mastery and virtuosity arguably unrivaled!
R. Lemon
Nicely put. And to think, a 19-year-old Bird washed dishes at the Three Deuces listening to him aspiring to do those right hand runs on his sax one day at turbo speed, rearranging the old standards into completely new songs and birthing modern jazz.
monsterjazzlicks
Absolutely breath taking. I do not like this song but Tatum's genius performance transcends anything and everything. I first heard this 15 x years ago whilst studying at Guildhall, London. Thank you for posting this because I have always wanted to re-listen to it. Out of this world rendition !
Jay Young
monsterjazzlicks Do you think the visual difficulty (not really) added to an already masterful piano play? It's said that people with visual problems are given something mighty powerful as an extra.