Induction of Jazz Legend Oscar Peterson's Shoes into the Museum

Wednesday May 21, 2008

The shoes of the late Canadian jazz legend Oscar Peterson were inducted into the Museum on May 21, 2008. The mid-afternoon ceremony included remarks from Mrs. Sonja Bata, Founding Chairman of the Museum, and Mr. Peterson's wife, Mrs. Kelly Peterson. Their daughter Celine Peterson was also present. Jazz pianist Robi Botos played some of Mr. Peterson's music. Long an admirer of Mr. Peterson, Robi Botos opened for him at Stravinsky Hall in Montreux, Switzerland in 2005 and also performed at the 2008 National Jazz Awards in Toronto in his honour.

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was born in Montreal on August 25, 1925. His parents introduced him to music before he was ten, and he studied classical piano in high school. At 14 he won a CBC national amateur piano competition. This was the beginning of a career which was to last over 65 years. He played thousands of live concerts, released over 200 recordings, and received many awards and honours. Considered one of the greatest pianists of all time, Oscar Peterson died on December 23, 2007.

Photo of Oscar Peterson courtesy of Edward Gajdel


Mrs. Kelly Peterson addressed the audience. Her remarks are below.

Mrs. Sonja Bata, Mrs. Kelly Peterson and daughter Celine Peterson welcomed the audience.	Jazz pianist Robi Botos performed some of Oscar Peterson's music.

Kelly Peterson's Speech

Here are Kelly Peterson's remarks upon the induction of her husband's shoes into the Museum.

jpg of Mrs. Kelly Peterson's remarks: Twenty-seven years ago Oscar Peterson played a concert in Sarasota, Florida. It was my good fortune that I was managing the restaurant he chose for dinner after his concert, and so I met him. One of the first things I noticed, after his charm and grace, were the gorgeous, elegant suede shoes he wore. I soon learned that he wore those shoes only when he performed, and after performances when he went to dinner. These shoes have been his favorites, and when they got too worn he would go to London, to Foster & Son, to buy his next pair. I had never seen shoes like these before, and I was struck by the clean lines and elegance of them. They exemplified the dignity and grace with which Oscar always carried himself, and the excellence of his playing. If the shoes could talk, the stories they could tell! They have traveled around the world, always protected with shoe trees and shoe bags, brushed when the suede got dusty. Carefully put on before the concerts. They could tell us about all the stages in all the concert halls, and all the bandstands in all the nightclubs where Oscar Peterson performed. They could tell about the stomping rhythms they propelled, and the gentle caresses of the pedals as he played those sensitive ballads. They could speak about the music that resonated and that resonates still. It is my hope that people who come here to see these shoes will have a glimpse of the grace and elegance with which Oscar always carried himself. It is my hope that they will hear some stories whispered, and that they will hear echoes of his music always.