Oscar Peterson: Tenderly

Oscar Peterson's legendary debut at Carnegie Hall in September 1949 with bassist Ray Brown led impresario Norman Granz to feature the pianist on several albums for his Clef label (later Verve). The young Canadian also joined Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic troupe, accompanying the likes of Roy Eldridge, Charlie Shavers, Benny Carter, Flip Phillips, Lester Young and Ella Fitzgerald. When that edition of JATP performed at Carnegie Hall three years after Peterson's debut at the fabled venue, Oscar not only accompanied the headliners but was spotlighted in a set with his own newly formed trio. The finest track of their 5-tune program is "Tenderly." It has a delicate introduction but soon bursts into a joyous breakneck met by enthusiastic audience reaction. For years this was Oscar's signature tune, and while he recorded it many times, this remains the classic version.