Oscar Peterson Trio – LIVE at the INTERNATIONALES JAZZFESTIVAL BERN (1986) Switzerland

Oscar Peterson Trio – LIVE at the INTERNATIONALES JAZZFESTIVAL BERN (1986) Switzerland

Track List:

1 “Falling in love with love” by Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart 2 Interview 3 “Love Ballade” by Oscar Peterson 4 Interview 5 “But beautiful” by Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen 6 “Soul Petite” by Oscar Peterson 7 “Carnival” by Oscar Peterson 8 “Satin doll” by Johnny Mercer, Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington 9 “Take The “A” Train” by Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington 10 “Lush life” by Billy Strayhorn 11 “Caravan” by Irving Mills, Juan Tizolo, Duke Ellington

Personnel:

The Oscar Peterson Trio:

Oscar Peterson, piano; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, acoustic double bass; Martin Drew, drums. + guest Milt Jackson, vibraphone.

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Oscar Peterson Trio: A Pinnacle of Jazz Virtuosity

The Oscar Peterson Trio: A Pinnacle of Jazz Virtuosity

The Oscar Peterson Trio is not just a band; it is an institution in the jazz world. Throughout its various iterations, the trio format was the crucible where Peterson’s immense talent as a pianist, composer, and arranger was most brilliantly displayed. While his first famous trio with bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis was known for its spellbinding cohesion and swing, the trio of the 1980s represented a different kind of peak.

By 1986, the trio consisted of:

• Oscar Peterson: Piano (age 61 at the time of the Bern concert)
• Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen: Bass (age 40)
• Martin Drew: Drums (age 42)

This lineup was a powerhouse of technical mastery and deep, intuitive swing. Peterson, having fully recovered from a serious health scare in the early 80s, was playing with renewed vigor and depth. NHØP (as he was often known) was widely considered one of the greatest bass virtuosos in jazz history, capable of matching Peterson’s speed and complexity with incredible tone and precision. Martin Drew provided a rock-solid, driving pulse that was both supportive and explosively interactive.

This trio was characterized by:

• Breathtaking Technique: All three members were masters of their instruments.
• Telepathic Communication: Years of touring had forged an unbreakable musical bond.
• Expansive Repertoire: They moved effortlessly from blistering bebop and blues to tender, lyrical ballads.
• Sheer Joy and Authority: Their performances radiated a confidence and love for the music that was infectious.

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The 1986 Internationales Jazzfestival Bern Performance

The trio’s performance in Bern, Switzerland, on May 31, 1986, is often cited as one of their finest live recordings. It captures the group at the absolute height of its powers. The concert was filmed for television and later released on DVD and CD, allowing jazz fans worldwide to witness this magical night.

The setting itself was elegant—a large, packed concert hall with an attentive audience—a perfect venue for the trio’s sophisticated yet powerful approach.

Highlights and Musical Characteristics of the Concert:

1. Opening with “Sushi” (Oscar Peterson original):
   The concert kicks off not with a gentle warm-up, but with a full-throttle sprint. “Sushi” is a Peterson original, a challenging uptempo blues that immediately sets the tone. The communication is instantaneous: Peterson’s lines are fluid and impossibly fast, NHØP’s walking bass is a melodic force unto itself, and Drew’s brushwork on the snare provides a fiery, whispering texture. It’s a statement of intent: this is a trio of equals, ready to play at the highest level.
2. The Masterful Ballad: “If You Only Knew”
   Peterson was one of jazz’s great romantic interpreters. Following the fire of “Sushi,” he delves into this beautiful ballad. His touch is exquisite, and his use of space and harmony is profound. It’s here you hear his debt to Art Tatum and Nat King Cole, transformed through his own unique voice. The performance is a masterclass in emotional depth and dynamic control, showcasing the trio’s incredible range.
3. Bass Virtuosity: “N.H.O.P.” (Dedicated to Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen)
   A concert with this trio was never complete without a feature for the phenomenal Danish bassist. Peterson introduces the tune written in his honor. What follows is a breathtaking display of NHØP’s genius. He plays with the agility, harmonic knowledge, and speed of a horn player, performing intricate solos that are both melodically inventive and technically staggering, all while maintaining a rock-solid pulse. The mutual respect and admiration between Peterson and NHØP are palpable.
4. Swing and Bebop Mastery: “Randy Blues”
   Another Peterson original, this tune is a medium-tempo swinger that encapsulates the essence of the trio’s style. It’s built on a familiar blues structure but elevated by their incredible interplay. Peterson’s right-hand lines dance over his left-hand comping, while Drew shifts from using brushes to sticks, driving the energy higher and trading explosive four-bar phrases with Peterson. It’s pure, unadulterated joy.
5. The Crowd-Pleasing Finale: “The Cakewalk”
   The trio closes their main set with this tour de force, a striding, joyful piece that harks back to ragtime but is filtered through modern jazz harmony and blinding speed. It’s a thrilling finale that leaves the audience in a state of exhilaration and awe, demanding a roaring ovation.

Legacy of the Bern 1986 Concert

The Internationales Jazzfestival Bern performance is more than just a concert; it is a definitive document of one of jazz’s greatest working bands.

• A Peak Performance: It captures the 1980s trio at its most potent. The recording quality is excellent, preserving every nuance of their interaction.
• A Showcase for Three Masters: The film allows you to see the communication—the glances, the smiles, the physicality of their playing. You witness Peterson’s intense concentration, NHØP’s effortless command of the massive double bass, and Drew’s powerful yet nuanced drumming.
• The Essence of Mainstream Jazz: For anyone looking to understand the core values of swing, bebop, and blues in a modern (for the time) acoustic jazz context, this performance is a perfect example. It represents the pinnacle of acoustic piano trio jazz, played with unmatched authority and passion.

The Oscar Peterson Trio’s 1986 performance in Bern is a legendary chapter in jazz history. It is a thrilling, masterful, and deeply satisfying experience that stands as a testament to the enduring power and brilliance of Oscar Peterson and his extraordinary musical partners.

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