Oscar Peterson Trio: The Berlin Concert

When it comes to jazz pianists, there's Oscar Peterson…and then there's everybody else. With the exception of his idol, Art Tatum, arguably no one has ever matched Peterson's sheer virtuosity, and while some of the former's inimitable mannerisms (the florid decorations of the melody, the lightning fast runs, the overall technique and versatility that wowed classical musicians like Rachmaninoff and Horowitz) can be heard in Peterson's playing throughout this 1985 Berlin concert performance, the man also evokes a mastery of the blues that perhaps exceeded even the immortal Tatum's. Any way you slice it, this gig is a bravura display of musical brilliance, not only from Peterson but also by Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and, to a slightly lesser extent, drummer Martin Drew. If this were an old vinyl LP, you could drop the needle pretty much anywhere and hear something astonishing: Peterson's solo intro on "Salute to Bach," followed by Pedersen's bass counterpoint; the pianist's extended solo on "Who Can I Turn To”; "Blues Etude," which finds Peterson meandering backstage while Pedersen and Drew set another ridiculous tempo, only to stroll back, sit down, and hit the keys running; or the pianist's own "Cakewalk," an almost contemporary-sounding tune which finds Pedersen playing the melody over Peterson's blanket of chords. Overall, the Dolby Digital 5.1 audio is a bit cold, but the camerawork is solid, with plenty of interesting angles of the musicians at work. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (S. Graham)