Oscar Peterson’s ‘The Africa Suite’

In a joyous celebration of piano legend Oscar Peterson’s upcoming centennial, an all-star cast of jazz greats presents the U.S. premiere of Peterson’s previously unperformed AFRICA suite along with a full performance of his 1964 Canadiana Suite and a selection of other notable Peterson compositions. The evening will be hosted by SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard, who will provide insights about Oscar Peterson and the music that's being performed. 

This exclusive concert endorsed by the Peterson estate will be anchored by a core quartet featuring Berkeley-raised pianist and Oscar Peterson protégé Benny Green, guitarist Russell Malone, and drummer Jeff Hamilton — all of whom performed extensively with Oscar Peterson Trio bassist Ray Brown — along with bassist and composer John Clayton. They will be joined by pianist, 2010 NEA Jazz Master, SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director Kenny Barron, the masterful pianist Gerald Clayton, Israeli-American jazz pianist Tamir Hendelman (featured on the Canadiana Suite), GRAMMY and Emmy-winning bassist Robert Hurst, and the GRAMMY-nominated Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, co-led by John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton.