The Steve Richko/Paul Keller/Pete Siers
Jazz Trio
To Oscar, With Love: A Tribute To Oscar Peterson

To Oscar, With Love: A Tribute To Oscar Peterson features the young, piano wizard Steve Richko, the prolific bassist Paul Keller and the dazzling drummer Pete Siers performing a heart-felt homage to the musical legacy and genius of the world's greatest jazz pianist, Dr. Oscar Peterson.

Dr. Oscar Peterson with Paul Keller at the Grand Opening of the Rose Theatre in Brampton, Ontario, Canada November, 2006.

To Oscar, With Love: A Tribute To Oscar Peterson salutes OP with performances of several of Oscar's compositions and arrangements including classic songs from Oscar's Canadiana Suite, Frank Sinatra and West Side Story albums. The Richko/Keller/Siers Trio also presents several of their own original arrangements created in the style of the Oscar Peterson Trio. Oscar Peterson developed and elevated the art of the jazz trio. The Richko/Keller/Siers Trio uses Oscar's high standards as the bar by which all other jazz performances are measured. To Oscar, With Love: A Tribute To Oscar Peterson is an entertaining musical event that amazes and delights casual listeners as well as serious jazz purists.

To Oscar, With Love: A Tribute To Oscar Peterson begins with Oscar's technically challenging composition Noreen’s Nocturne. Steve Richko and Paul Keller have expanded upon OP's original version to include a drum ensemble section that crescendos into the magnificent recap of the theme. Steve Richko shows his appreciation for the virtuosic Peterson piano-style throughout this wonderful CD with splendid Oscar-isms peppered throughout his improvised solos. Paul Keller and Pete Siers provide explosive energy, strong support and great solos in the spirit of Ray Brown and Ed Thigpen.

Steve Richko and Paul Keller collaborated to create this OP-inspired arrangement of Tangerine. The trio really sinks its teeth into this intricate piece that sports unison piano and bass lines, stop-and-go effects, a dramatic shout chorus and a surprise ending. Tangerine is an epic adventure in swing!

Bossa Beguine is a fast-paced, bossa nova composed by Oscar Peterson and arranged by Paul. Pete Siers puts "the shake" on this one and establishes an intense groove with the wire brushes.

The trio slows it down for Oscar's beautiful arrangement of My One And Only Love. Very tender and sweet with a hint of J.S. Bach.

Paul Keller says, "I was 17 years old when I first heard Oscar's version of Let's Fall In Love and it resonated strongly with me. I have always wanted to learn and perform this arrangement. I am so happy to include it on our OP Tribute CD."

Maria from Oscar's very popular West Side Story album begins with a mysterioso, rhumba beat and flows nicely into a gentle swing feel.

People is next with music composed by Jule Styne, lyrics written by Bob Merrill, and the simple (yet effective) arrangement by OP.

The next two tracks are from Oscar Peterson's Canadiana Suite. Place St. Henry is an up-tempo, flag-waver with an interesting 20-measure form. Nice solos from each of the members of the trio. Wheatland evokes the beauty and grandeur of Oscar's Canadian homeland. Wheatland is an elegant bossa nova whose attractive melody gracefully meanders from one lovely theme to another and eventually forms a perfectly symmetrical design.

Oscar's Blues Etude is a vehicle for Steve and Pete to joust-about with their chops flying everywhere. Check out the nifty tempo changes and high speed dare-devilry.

Learnin’ The Blues is inspired by Oscar's version of this tune on his A Portrait Of Frank Sinatra album. Easy, swinging and groovy, like Old Blue Eyes.

Hymn To Freedom is Oscar Peterson's stirring tribute to The Human Rights and Civil Rights achievements and struggles.

The closing tune, To Oscar, With Love is Steve Richko's personal salute to Oscar Peterson. Soft, tender, and emotional this original tone poem expresses the trio's deep love for Oscar Peterson and their gratitude for his influence in their musical lives.

Paul, Steve and Pete with Executive Prodoucer and benefactor Ian Mulhinch. In honor of Ian's courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a portion of the proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated to charities that help find a cure for ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Bios:

Pianist Steve Richko lives in Dearborn, MI. He is a 27-year-old wunderkind who fell in love with the music of Oscar Peterson at the age of 12. Since then, Steve has made a thorough study of Oscar's piano artistry and career. Today, Steve Richko is regarded as one the finest young pianists on the Detroit jazz scene. Steve's virtuosic piano technique is astounding and his understanding of ensemble playing and trio arranging makes for a spectacular presentation. He plays with great feeling and charisma, at once lush and rhapsodic, then bluesy and greasy, then lightning fast bebop! Steve Richko's musical star is just now rising and the sky is the limit for this amazing jazz sensation!

String bassist Paul Keller is well known, not only forhis work with singer/pianist Diana Krall and guitarist Russell Malone, but also as the leader of several other jazz bands that play regularly at the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor, MI. Keller leads the 15-piece Paul Keller Orchestra on Mondays and the 7-piece Paul Keller Ensemble on Wednesdays at the Firefly Club. Paul also travels worldwide with Eddie Higgins and Tom Saunders. Keller has accompanied many jazz notables including Clarke Terry, Herb Ellis, Bucky Pizzarelli, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Benny Green and Jeff Hamilton.