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.
Ja-Da
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
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Everything from opera down to harmony
But I've a little song that I will sing to you
It's gonna win you through and through
There ain't much to the words but the music is grand
And you'll be a-singing it to beat the band
You've heard of the tisket and tasket it's true
But give a little listen to this will you?
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
That's a funny little bit of melody
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
Our bands have been digging back for tunes to be sung
Operas and nursery rhymes have been overdone
I dug a little deeper and I found this thing
It's ragtime but it still can swing
It ain't a turkeytrot or a shimmey onestep
But when grandma danced to it
She thought she was hep
It still is a ditty
I'm sure you will find
Will keep a runnin' 'round and around your mind
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
That's a funny little bit of melody
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da
Jing, Jing, Jing
The lyrics to Oscar Peterson's "Ja-Da" are a lighthearted celebration of a catchy melody. Peterson acknowledges the many types of music that people have heard before, from opera to harmony, but he suggests that his little song is just as worth listening to. The words themselves aren't particularly impressive, but the music is described as grand and the listener will be singing it to beat the band. The melody is introduced as a "funny little bit" that is soothing and appealing, and it repeats through the chorus in its truncated line with the addition of the sound "jing".
Peterson goes on to explain that he discovered the tune by digging deeper than the usual nursery rhymes and operas, finding a ragtime song that still swings. While it's not a turkey trot or a shimmy one step, it has its roots in music that people used to dance to, and these days it will keep running around and around in your mind.
The overall feeling of "Ja-Da" is one of joyful simplicity. The song doesn't require any deep thought or analysis; it's a toe-tapping tune that's just fun to sing along with. The lyrics encourage the listener to forget their troubles and enjoy the music, and the song itself seems to embody that sentiment.
Line by Line Meaning
You've heard all about your raggy melody
You might have listened to many different types of melodies, from opera to harmony and even ragtime.
Everything from opera down to harmony
Various kinds of music, right from rich and dramatic opera compositions to simpler and more melodious harmonies.
But I've a little song that I will sing to you
However, I have a tiny, yet delightful melody that I'd like to perform for you.
It's gonna win you through and through
It's so charming that it will undoubtedly capture your heart entirely.
There ain't much to the words but the music is grand
The lyrics of the song may not be very extensive, but the tune is exceptionally grand and splendid.
And you'll be a-singing it to beat the band
And you'd enjoy singing it so much that you won't be able to resist singing it loud and proud.
You've heard of the tisket and tasket, it's true
You might have heard of popular melodies like "A Tisket, A Tasket," and it's true.
But give a little listen to this, will you?
But, I suggest you listen to this small song just for a bit. Would you like that?
That's a funny little bit of melody
This tune is a funny little piece of music.
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It has a very calming and attractive effect on me.
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing
The melody goes like Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing.
Our bands have been digging back for tunes to be sung
Musical groups have been searching for different songs to play and sing.
Operas and nursery rhymes have been overdone
Operatic music and children's rhymes have been overplayed by bands.
I dug a little deeper and I found this thing
I went a step further and discovered this tune.
It's ragtime but it still can swing
Although it's ragtime, it has the ability to swing along with a beat.
It ain't a turkeytrot or a shimmey onestep
It's not a type of folk dance like the Turkey Trot or Shimmy Onestep.
But when grandma danced to it, she thought she was hep
But when my grandmother danced to it, she believed she was current and trendy.
It still is a ditty I'm sure you will find
It's still a small, catchy song that you'd surely find enjoyable.
Will keep a-runnin' 'round and around your mind
It will keep playing in your mind on an endless loop.
Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing
The melody goes like Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing.
That's a funny little bit of melody
This tune is a funny little piece of music.
It's so soothing and appealing to me
It has a very calming and attractive effect on me.
It goes Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing
The melody goes like Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Ja-Da, Jing, Jing, Jing.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BOB CARLETON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind