Canada Council, National Endowment for the Arts to remember Oscar Peterson with a concert and a memorial tribute

Panels, photo opportunities and other events with NEA Jazz Masters scheduled

Ottawa, January 7, 2008 - The Canada Council for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will co-host a tribute to the late Oscar Peterson on Friday, January 11 at 8:00 p.m. at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre's Constitution Hall as part of the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) conference. Dr. Peterson passed away on December 23 at the age of 82.

The tribute will be part of a concert and awards ceremony honouring the recipients of the 2008 NEA Jazz Master Fellowship, who include: bandleader Quincy Jones, composer and arranger Tom McIntosh, trumpeter Joe Wilder, pianist Andrew Hill, percussionist Candido Camero and jazz advocate Gunther Schuller.

The evening includes a special presentation by Canada Council Chair Karen Kain and NEA Chairman Dana Gioia along with performances of Dr. Peterson's work by pianist, composer and arranger Oliver Jones. Mr. Jones will play as soloist and with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.

In addition to the Friday evening award ceremony and concert, NEA Jazz Masters activities include:

· NEA Jazz Masters Advocates panel, Thursday, January 10

· 2008 NEA Jazz Masters panel, Friday, January 11

· Artists group photo opportunity, Friday, January 11

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Media contacts:

International Association for Jazz Education Conference
Diana Nazareth 416-815-8883
E-mail: dlmedia.canada@sympatico.ca
Web site: www.iaje.org

National Endowment for the Arts
Victoria Hutter 202-682-5692
E-mail: hutterv@arts.endow.gov
Web site: www.neajazzmasters.org

Canada Council for the Arts
Donna Balkan 613-566-4305 or 1-800-263-5588, ext. 4134
E-mail: donna.balkan@canadacouncil.ca
Heather McAfee 613-566-4414 or 1-800-263-5588, ext. 4523
E-mail: heather.mcafee@canadacouncil.ca
Web site: www.canadacouncil.ca

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Post Office Box 1047 / Case postale 1047
Ottawa, ON K1P 5V8
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