Virtuoso jazz pianist Oscar Peterson is considered to be one of the most incredible musical talents Canada has ever produced. Canada Post took the unprecedented step of honouring the legendary musician with a postage stamp, released August 15th to coincide with Peterson's 80th birthday. The release of this stamp is a philatelic first - it is the first time ever that a living person other than the Monarch has been so honoured in Canada.
Toronto's Tiit Telmet designed this landmark stamp, which is a collage of two photographs that showcase the talent and capture the essence of Canada's musical treasure, including Peterson's trademark smile. The primary image is a portrait of a relaxed Peterson leaning against an open piano. The second-image is a close-up of his hands on the keyboard. The treatment was executed in duotone rather than four colours. The portrait is in sepia while the keyboard has bluer, cooler hue.
Designer Telmet explained that it was important to focus on Oscar Peterson, so he deliberately kept the design monochromatic in tone and the typography to a minimum. "The stamp is simplistic in its design, not cluttered", noted Telmet. "The keyboard says he is a pianist and the portrait captures his warmth and compassion. It is a simple, elegant statement of a remarkable man."
Telmet attended the official unveiling of the stamp at a special birthday celebration for Peterson held in Toronto at the main HMV store on Yonge Street. Fellow Canadian jazz pianist Diana Krall was among the friend and fans wishing Peterson a happy birthday. The venue, however, was rather cramped, and the event was overshadowed by commercialism. It might have been more appropriate to have Peterson, multiple Grammy and Juno winner, Companion of the Order of Canada, recipient of the UNESCO International Music Prize (to mention but a few achievements of a lengthy career; additional information can be found at
www.oscarpeterson.com) honoured at a jazz club or concert hall.
The domestic 50ยข stamp is available at all post offices across the country. It is sold in pane of 16 stamps as well as in a special souvenir sheet of four stamps. Stamps can be ordered online by following the links at Canada Post's website
www.canadapost.ca As well, a downloadable high-resolution photo of the Oscar Peterson stamp is available at the Newsroom Photo Centre section of Canada Post's website.
