Oscar Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. Considered a virtuoso and one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won eight Grammy Awards, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the Recording Academy, and received numerous other awards and honours. He played thousands of concerts worldwide in a career lasting more than 60 years. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he won a CBC National Music Competition at the age of 14. From 1949, his career was principally managed by Norman Granz. Peterson played with Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic tour and his own trio with Ray Brown and Barney Kessel. Later, Herb Ellis replaced Kessel and was eventually replaced by drummer Ed Thigpen. This established the classic O.P. Trio sound that led to a string of world tours and successful albums. His Advanced School of Contemporary Music in Toronto drew disciples for 5 years in the 1960s, but eventually gave way to his year-round concert schedule. In 1997 he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and an International Jazz Hall of Fame Award.