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Poster for Oscar Peterson: Music in the Key of Oscar

Oscar Peterson: Music in the Key of Oscar

Seen it?

1995 | 94 min | Documentary, Music

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
If you count yourself among spy-story fans and people who'll be humming afterwards, this one's for you. Nobody is quite who they seem. Same wavelength as Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me or The Last Waltz. The music is woven into the story, not just laid on top.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Well paced for a documentary, at 1 hr 34 min.
What might put you off
Skip it if you want made-up drama tonight.

This riveting music documentary traces the history of Jazz piano legend Oscar Peterson, from his early days as Montreal's teenage Boogie-Woogie sensation through his meteoric rise to international celebrity with Norman Granz and the ground-breaking Jazz at the Philharmonic and beyond. In this award-winning autobiographical portrait, legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson narrates his story, from his beginnings in smoke-filled Montreal clubs to hallmark performances with jazz greats. Concert footage includes an unforgettable combo -- Nat King Cole with Jazz at the Philharmonic and the Oscar Peterson Trio Wall reunion. Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie are interviewed, among others.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    Awards data unavailable, so this isn't counted

  • Reach & staying powerWeak

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    Not enough engagement data yet

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Cast & crew

Directed by Sylvia Sweeney, William R. Cunningham

  • Oscar PetersonNarrator
  • Oscar PetersonSelf
  • Ray BrownSelf
  • Herb EllisSelf
  • Ella FitzgeraldSelf
  • Dizzy GillespieSelf
  • Norman GranzSelf
  • Jeff HamiltonSelf
  • Herbie HancockSelf
  • Quincy JonesSelf