He 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 month.
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 Ray Brown, Ben Webster, Herb Ellis, Ed Thigpen, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Clark Terry, Joe Pass, 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 resumed 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, proof that Oscar Peterson is still regarded as one of the greatest jazz musicians ever to play.
His work has earned him seven Grammy awards over the years and he was elected to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1978. He also belongs to the Juno Awards Hall of Fame and the Canadian Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame.
He was made an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1972, and promoted to Companion, its highest rank, in 1984. He is also a member of the Order of Ontario, a Chevalier of the National Order of Quebec, and an officer of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
He has received the Roy Thomson Award (1987), a Toronto Arts Award for lifetime achievement (1991), the Governor General's Performing Arts Award (1992), the Glenn Gould Prize (1993), the award of the International Society for Performing Artists (1995), the Loyola Medal of Concordia University (1997), the Praemium Imperiale World Art Award (1999), the UNESCO Music Prize (2000), and the Toronto Musicians' Association Musician of the Year award (2001).
From 1991 to 1994 he was chancellor of York University in Toronto.
In 2004 the City of Toronto named the courtyard of the Toronto-Dominion Centre Oscar Peterson Square.
Peterson's niece, Sylvia Sweeney, is a Canadian journalist and documentary film producer. Her 1992 film In the Key of Oscar is about Peterson.
On August 15, 2005 Peterson celebrated his 80th birthday at the HMV flagship store in Toronto. A crowd of about 200 gathered to celebrate with him there. Diana Krall sang happy birthday to him and also performed a vocal version of one of Peterson's songs "When Summer Comes". The lyrics for this version were written by Elvis Costello, Krall's husband. Canada Post unveiled a commemorative postage stamp in his honour. This marked the first time that a Canadian postage stamp was created celebrating an individual who was still alive other than Queen Elizabeth II. The event was covered by a live radio broadcast by Toronto jazz station, jazz.fm.
Where Do We Go From Here
The Oscar Peterson Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some things you take for granted
Until someone pulls it apart
And leaves you with half of your heart
How do I trade
The best I had for less
Without giving up
Should I slowly accept that we'll be no more than just friends
How do I know
When to let go
I know what I'm feeling inside
But part of me still wants to try
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
There's no winning bets
The battle's just begun
I know it's over
But I still feel the same
You'll always remain number one
'Cause letting go
More and so much
I know what I'm feeling inside
But part of me still wants to try
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
Letting go
More and so much
I know what I'm feeling inside
But part of me still wants to try
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
So tell me
Where do we go from here
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
When all that you are
Is all I need and more
The lyrics to "Where Do We Go From Here" by The Oscar Peterson Trio deal with the confusion and uncertainty that comes with the end of a relationship. The singer has experienced heartbreak and is trying to figure out how to move forward. They feel torn between holding onto the past and moving on to something new. The chorus repeats the question, "Where do we go from here?" suggesting that the singer is unsure about how to proceed.
In the first verse, the singer acknowledges that being in love can make one feel secure and assume that things will always be a certain way. However, when the relationship comes to an end, the singer feels like their world has been pulled apart and they're left with only half of their heart. They're faced with the difficult decision of whether to accept what they have left or try to make things work with less than they had before.
In the second verse, the singer grapples with the idea of letting go. They acknowledge that the relationship is over but can't quite shake the feeling that they should keep trying. They want to know where to go from here, but they're filled with fear and uncertainty. The repeated line, "When all that you are/Is all I need and more" suggests that the singer still has strong feelings for the person they've lost and wonders whether they'll be able to find someone who measures up in the future.
Overall, the lyrics to "Where Do We Go From Here" are relatable to anyone who has gone through a breakup and faced the uncertainty that comes with moving on. The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the confusion and lack of direction that the singer is feeling.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're in love
Being in love can cause one to overlook some things.
Some things you take for granted
There are basic expectations in a relationship that are often taken as assumptions.
Until someone pulls it apart
A sudden realization can challenge the foundation of one's affection.
And leaves you with half of your heart
The hurt of a break-up can be devastating.
How do I trade
It's difficult to settle for a lesser love after experiencing the best.
The best I had for less
Choosing to lower one's standards can be a painful decision.
Without giving up
It's important to maintain some self-respect and dignity in a relationship.
Should I slowly accept that we'll be no more than just friends
Doubt and uncertainty plague those in the 'friend zone.'
How do I know
It's difficult to determine when a relationship has run its course.
When to let go
Parting ways can be painful, but it's sometimes the best choice.
I know what I'm feeling inside
One's emotions can be confusing and tumultuous during a break-up.
But part of me still wants to try
There's often a lingering feeling of hope even when things seem hopeless.
So tell me
The singer is asking for guidance and clarity about their relationship.
Where do we go from here
What path should be taken in the relationship is uncertain.
Why's my heart filled with so much fear
The singer is anxious about the outcome of their relationship.
When all that you are
The singer values their partner and what they bring to the relationship.
Is all I need and more
The singer feels content with their partner, but needs to work out doubts and issues.
There's no winning bets
The outcome of the relationship is uncertain and there may not be a 'winner' or 'loser.'
The battle's just begun
The difficulties of the relationship are ongoing and may not have an easy resolution.
I know it's over
The singer has come to terms with the possibility of a break-up.
But I still feel the same
Emotions can be slow to change, even when logical decisions have been made.
You'll always remain number one
The partner will always hold a special place in the singer's heart.
Letting go
Moving on from a relationship can be tough, but it's necessary for growth.
More and so much
The process of letting go is complex and multi-faceted.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROBBIE ROBERTSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind