Jazz great Oscar Peterson passes..

The date is not known but it was announced today that 82-year old Oscar Peterson has died of kidney failure.

An huge influence on jazz for decades upon decades, Mr. Peterson lived in Canada at the time of his passing.

From the MSNBC writeup:

Peterson’s impressive collection of awards include all of Canada’s highest honors, such as the Order of Canada, as well as a Lifetime Grammy (1997) and a spot in the International Jazz Hall of Fame.

His growing stature was reflected in the admiration of his peers. Duke Ellington referred to him as “Maharajah of the keyboard,” while Count Basie once said “Oscar Peterson plays the best ivory box I’ve ever heard.”