“Oscar is the Maharaja of the keyboard.” – Duke Ellington
“Oscar plays the best ivory box I’ve ever heard” – Count Basie
(Toronto) Melbar Entertainment Group announced today that it is currently in production on a feature documentary on the iconic Canadian jazz musician Oscar Peterson. The film will be directed by Barry Avrich.
Oscar Peterson: Black and White is a film about a boldly original artist, a jazz pioneer and will be a presentation of Peterson’s music in both its present and historical context, the aura of his personality and his experiences touring, facing racism and working with a stellar group of giants from Ella Fitzgerald to Count Basie and Louis Armstrong to Nat King Cole. Peterson’s music provides pleasure, excitement, surprise, shock, and energy.
Our film will provide a personal connection to Oscar through his vast archive of rare performances, interviews that powerfully illustrate his sense of passion and awestruck admiration of the form and style that cultivates a moment of discovery. The film will also illustrate Oscar’s career via interviews with surviving musicians that played with him, family, jazz legends, and new live performances of extraordinary artists playing Oscar’s music including Dave Young (played with Oscar), Larnell Lewis, Jackie Richardson, Robi Botos (Peterson protégé), Joe Sealy, Stu Harrison, Measha Brueggemann, Denzal Sinclaire, and Daniel Clarke Bouchard.
The film will also explore the racism that Oscar endured and the racial implications of his public image and rise to fame. Ultimately, we will highlight Oscar’s role as an elegant, stylish, and uncompromising musician with a sense of racial pride and commitment to mentoring a new generation of artists during his entire.
“It is a privilege and career highlight for me to tell Oscar’s inspiring story and further immortalize his relentless yet iconic music in this film”, Barry Avrich, Director.
Kelly Peterson, who was married to Oscar until his passing in 2007 and will act as Consulting Producer;
“It is gratifying that Oscar’s legacy continues to resonate and inspire music lovers and musicians everywhere. I am delighted that this documentary will capture his story, his journey and his place in music history now, and forever,” Kelly Peterson
“Canada’s Walk of Fame continues to celebrate our greatest achievers, and this film on Oscar Peterson reflects one of Canada’s proudest exports and a brilliant, shining example of sheer musical genius”. Jeffrey Latimer, Executive Producer and CEO, Canada’s Walk of Fame
The feature will be produced by Avrich and Mark Selby, and Executive Produced by Jeffrey Latimer, Randy Lennox and Avrich. The release is planned for the Fall, 2021.
