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.
Pompton Turnpike
Oscar Peterson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Charlie Barnet
Pompton Turnpike, that's
A very famous Jersey roadway
Full of country charm.
Pompton Turnpike, leads you
To a place not far from Broadway,
You dine with lights subdued,
The music interlude puts you right in the mood
To dance and find yourself romance.
Pompton Turnpike, ride your bike
Or if you like just hitch hike,
Come to Pompton Turnpike
The lyrics of "Pompton Turnpike," written by Charlie Barnet, is an ode to a famous road in New Jersey, known for its charming countryside and notable music scene. The song exudes a romanticized view of the Pompton Turnpike, which the singer describes as a pathway that leads to a farm not too far from Broadway, where people can dine with subdued lights and enjoy the music interlude that sets them in the mood for dancing and finding romance. The song suggests that Pompton Turnpike is not only a place but a state of mind, where people can go to lose themselves in the music and the beauty of the farm.
The lyrics of this song are written in a very poetic way that paints a vivid picture of Pompton Turnpike as a tranquil, romantic, and charming place. Barnet uses metaphors like "country charm" and "music interlude" to describe the ambiance of the farm. He also uses phrases like "puts you right in the mood" and "find yourself romance" to suggest the romanticism of the place, where people can let go of their inhibitions and discover themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Pompton Turnpike, that's
The road called Pompton Turnpike is where this song is set.
A very famous Jersey roadway
This roadway is well-known in New Jersey.
Full of country charm.
The road has a quaint, rustic appeal.
Pompton Turnpike, leads you
This road takes you to a specific place.
To a place not far from Broadway,
The destination of the road is close to Broadway, but still in a rural place.
Still it's on a farm.
Despite being close to Broadway, the place is situated on a farmland.
You dine with lights subdued,
When you dine here the lighting is low and dim.
The music interlude puts you right in the mood
The music played here creates a specific atmosphere.
To dance and find yourself romance.
The mood set by the music is conducive to dancing and finding love.
Pompton Turnpike, ride your bike
You can ride a bike along this road.
Or if you like just hitch hike,
You can also hitchhike to get here.
Come to Pompton Turnpike
This line is an invitation for people to come to this place.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM MATTHEW OSBORNE, DICK ROGERS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind