From Publishers Weekly
In this muddled and confusing autobiography, Canadian pianist Peterson pays a long-winded tribute to his many jazz pals in lieu of revealing much about his own life. It's a shame, considering so little is known about him; with well over 200 albums spanning six decades, Peterson (b. 1925) is widely considered one of the greatest and most prolific jazz musicians ever. Unfortunately, from the outset Peterson is a reluctant subject. He supplies some of the bare facts of his speedy rise to jazz superstardom from musical training under his Caribbean immigrant father, who administered lickings for wrong notes, to his being discovered in 1949 by legendary jazz promoter and Verve label owner Norman Granz, who set up Peterson's American debut at Carnegie Hall. There are some entertaining anecdotes, such the first time a wide-eyed Peterson attended one of Billie Holiday's drugged-up soir‚es and was met at the door by the tumbling body of her accompanist ("Billie was at the top of the stairs hurling invectives at him, and she ended this scene by throwing a couple of Coke bottles after him as he landed at my feet"). But there are never enough personal details to make Peterson come alive for readers. One hundred pages into this hefty tome, Peterson abruptly abandons his narrative to write a series of overwritten and uninsightful portraits of the jazz greats he's worked with, such as Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins; many vignettes are accompanied by poems. Instead of returning to the story of his life, Peterson chooses to end this odd book with a series of unrelated "essays" on great hotels and his experiences in the outdoors. B&w photos not seen by PW.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
The title of this autobiography says it all: the life of renowned jazz pianist Peterson (b. 1925) has truly been an odyssey. Born in Montreal to parents of West Indian descent, he first made a name for himself as a teenager in the Johnny Holmes Orchestra, Canada's top big band, before moving to New York City to record for RCA. During the 1950s, he became known as a gifted accompanist for Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic tours as well as for Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holliday, among others. These encounters with the famous, along with his struggles with racism from a Canadian perspective, are all shared with great sincerity. Overseen by Palmer, the author of Oscar Peterson (o.p.), the narrative as a whole flows nicely. This latest entry on Peterson's life and work should help update other works, including Palmer's book and Gene Lees's Oscar Peterson: The Will To Swing, recently reissued by Cooper Square Press. Recommended for large public and academic libraries and wherever patrons are interested in jazz. [This is being issued in conjunction with a best-of CD, also titled A Jazz Odyssey (Verve). Ed.] Ronald S. Russ, Arkansas State Univ. Lib., Beeb.- Ronald S. Russ, Arkansas State Univ. Lib., Beebe Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Because jazz musicians live in a misunderstood, often besieged insular world, there is a natural tendency to be on guard against mainstream society. Thus, jazz autobiographies tend to be less than candid. Legendary pianist Oscar Peterson largely avoids this sugarcoating effect in his thoughtfully introspective, often remarkably revealing self-examination of more than 50 years as a professional jazzman. Playing with chronology much as a jazz soloist plays with melody, Peterson begins with his childhood in Montreal and moves through his career as a musician but frequently veers off path for profiles of fellow jazz greats or reflections on such topics as politics, racism, and his personal life. The profiles are especially interesting for the insights into the musicianship of such stars as Ella Fitzgerald, Lester Young, and many others. Peterson's discussion of the dynamics of the jazz trio and, in particular, the styles of the many outstanding bassists with whom he has played is a particular highlight. His prose occasionally tends toward the flowery, but this is a small irritant in an otherwise fascinating look at the jazz life. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Montreal Gazette, August 31, 2002
"[Peterson’s] biography is a lot like his music - honest, passionate and clear"


Jazz Journal International, February 1, 2003
"one of the most important jazz books published for quite some time....should be in every serious jazz enthusiast's library."


Mojo Magazine (UK)
"an amiable, fascinatingly eccentric memoir of a life in which he mostly appears to have had a ball."


Jazziz, November 2002
"blunt, incisive...and confident...Peterson never fails to ground the events of his life within the context of his times."


Tampa Tribune, January 26, 2003
"The book is rich with jazz lingo…a charming and colorful touch to a revealing autobiography."


Book Description
'I can't truthfully recall my first meeting with the piano,' begins Oscar Peterson's 'Jazz Odyssey', his long-awaited autobiography, which tells the full story of the world's most famous jazz pianist. Edited by Richard Palmer, it covers Peterson's childhood in Montreal, his meetings with giants such as Art Tatum, and his rapid rise to international stardom after appearing on 'Jazz at the Philharmonic'. As might be expected from such a great communicator, this is a beautifully written, candid account of a stellar career, with Peterson's down-to-earth attitude providing insights into his colleagues, his many recordings, his philosophy, and his long love affair with the piano.


About the Author
Oscar Peterson is, in the words of Quincy Jones, 'one of the greatest musicians on the planet'. Born in Montreal in 1925 to immigrant parents of West Indian origin, he soon revealed himself to be a musical prodigy. He was still in his teens when he became the star attraction of Canada's leading big band, the renowned Johnny Holmes Orchestra, and had just turned twenty when he made his first trio recordings for RCA. At the instigation of Coleman Hawkins and Dizzy Gillespie, Peterson moved south to the U.S., making his New York debut at Carnegie Hall in 1949 and in the following year beginning a partnership with Ray Brown that was to last until 1965. With Ray and guitarist Herb Ellis, Peterson formed the first of his great trios. During the 1950s, Peterson demonstrated another side to his musical genius, becoming a brilliant accompanist for jazz impresario Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic tours and on myriad recording sessions. He was the ideal foil for a host of musicians including Hawkins, Gillespie, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Billie Holiday. During the 1970s Peterson also pursued a career as a solo pianist and television personality. Despite a stroke in 1993, Peterson continues to perform and record, making more music and swinging harder than most pianists have been able to in their prime.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Jazz pianist Oscar Peterson is, in the words of Quincy Jones, "one of the greatest musicians on the planet." Born in Montreal in 1925 to immigrant parents of West Indian origin, he soon revealed himself to be a musical prodigy. He was still in his teens when he became the star attraction of Canada's leading big band, the renowned Johnny Holmes Orchestra, and had just turned twenty when he made his first trio recordings for RCA. During the 1950s he demonstrated another side to his musical genius, becoming a brilliant accompanist for jazz impresario Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic tours and on myriad recording sessions. He was the ideal foil for a host of musicians including Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Roy Eldridge, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker and Billie Holiday. Despite a stroke in 1993, he continues to perform and record, making more music and swinging harder than most pianists accomplish in their prime.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In this muddled and confusing autobiography, Canadian pianist Peterson pays a long-winded tribute to his many jazz pals in lieu of revealing much about his own life. It's a shame, considering so little is known about him; with well over 200 albums spanning six decades, Peterson (b. 1925) is widely considered one of the greatest and most prolific jazz musicians ever. Unfortunately, from the outset Peterson is a reluctant subject. He supplies some of the bare facts of his speedy rise to jazz superstardom from musical training under his Caribbean immigrant father, who administered lickings for wrong notes, to his being discovered in 1949 by legendary jazz promoter and Verve label owner Norman Granz, who set up Peterson's American debut at Carnegie Hall. There are some entertaining anecdotes, such the first time a wide-eyed Peterson attended one of Billie Holiday's drugged-up soir es and was met at the door by the tumbling body of her accompanist ("Billie was at the top of the stairs hurling invectives at him, and she ended this scene by throwing a couple of Coke bottles after him as he landed at my feet"). But there are never enough personal details to make Peterson come alive for readers. One hundred pages into this hefty tome, Peterson abruptly abandons his narrative to write a series of overwritten and uninsightful portraits of the jazz greats he's worked with, such as Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins; many vignettes are accompanied by poems. Instead of returning to the story of his life, Peterson chooses to end this odd book with a series of unrelated "essays" on great hotels and his experiences in the outdoors. B&w photos not seen by PW. (July 16) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

The title of this autobiography says it all: the life of renowned jazz pianist Peterson (b. 1925) has truly been an odyssey. Born in Montreal to parents of West Indian descent, he first made a name for himself as a teenager in the Johnny Holmes Orchestra, Canada's top big band, before moving to New York City to record for RCA. During the 1950s, he became known as a gifted accompanist for Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic tours as well as for Dizzy Gillespie, Lester Young, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holliday, among others. These encounters with the famous, along with his struggles with racism from a Canadian perspective, are all shared with great sincerity. Overseen by Palmer, the author of Oscar Peterson (o.p.), the narrative as a whole flows nicely. This latest entry on Peterson's life and work should help update other works, including Palmer's book and Gene Lees's Oscar Peterson: The Will To Swing, recently reissued by Cooper Square Press. Recommended for large public and academic libraries and wherever patrons are interested in jazz. [This is being issued in conjunction with a best-of CD, also titled A Jazz Odyssey (Verve). Ed.] Ronald S. Russ, Arkansas State Univ. Lib., Beebe Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal

YA-Providing an overview of all aspects of the life and times of the world-famous detective, Riley and McAllister offer interesting and entertaining information about the fictional sleuth. Along with the trivia and information, the authors insert historical background on Victorian England, a short biography of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and brief synopses of the Holmes stories. Additional chapters cover explanations of rank in the British nobility, drugs used in the era, and the wars mentioned in the stories. Several chapters make forays into understanding the psychology of Holmes, his personality, and his pleasures. One entire chapter reviews the various clubs dedicated to him. A crossword puzzle, a Sherlock Holmes Mystery Map of London, and around 200 black-and-white illustrations, including some from the stories and some of Victorian London, add to the fun.-Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

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