1942: Joined the Johnny Holmes Orchestra playing dance music in and around the Montreal area with Maynard and Percy Ferguson, Nick Ayoub and Al Baculis.
1945: Releases first album, “This Is Oscar Peterson.”
1948: Producer Norman Granz brings Peterson to New York to play as a surprise guest at the Carnegie Hall performance of his Jazz at the Philharmonic. Soon after his appearance at Carnegie Hall, Peterson joined the Jazz at the Philharmonic and began touring North America with the troupe.
1953-58: Met his idol, Art Tatum, for the first time. In time they became close friends and even played for one another. The trio of Peterson, Herb Ellis and Ray Brown toured with Jazz at the Philharmonic in North America and Europe making their debut in Japan in 1953. The trio was recorded extensively during these years, producing dozens of albums both live and in the studio, and became known as one of the greatest jazz combos of the time.
1960-63: Peterson helps open the Advanced School of Contemporary Music in Toronto. Financial difficulties forced the doors to close after only three years of operation.
1964: Peterson's first major composition, “Canadiana Suite,” was released.
1977-1980s: Peterson played more solo recitals, composed more music but toured less. Arthritis became a problem, causing him difficulty in walking. Had to cancel some performances due to the pain in his hands.
1993: Peterson suffered a serious stroke that weakened his left side and sidelined him for two years.
2000: Student scholarship fund at Montreal's Concordia University set up to honour Peterson's 75th birthday.
2005: Canada Post issues a 50-cent stamp to celebrate Peterson's 80th birthday.
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