TIFF 2021: Oscar Peterson: Black + White
TIFF 2021It is about time that the world is finally gifted with the documentary exploring the life of legendary Canadian jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. Barry Avrich’s latest musical documentary Oscar Peterson: Black + White does just that, and though it barely scratches the significance of Peterson, it is vital viewing for the remaining uninitiated few that are unfamiliar with Peterson’s music and will give satisfaction to those who are already fans of the jazz icon.
Oscar Peterson: Black + White is both a tribute and celebration to the piano virtuoso. Mostly told in chronological order, the documentary delves into Oscar Peterson’s childhood growing up in Montreal, his rise to stardom, to his death at the age of 82. Title cards come up often, helping the viewer keep track of when and where Peterson’s life is in the documentary, as his career spanned decades and continents. Some of the footage of Peterson’s performances and interviews have not been seen in over seventy years before appearing in Oscar Peterson: Black + White, while some footage had never been seen at all. Oscar Peterson tells much of his own story himself through plenty of archival interviews and performances. Avrich also ensures to show Oscar Peterson as a person, rather than just a musical icon, as he includes interviews with Peterson’s family. These moments show Peterson’s charm and humility, a contrast to who he was on stage.
Interspersed with Peterson’s life story are performances from well-known Canadian musicians – such as Peterson’s protege Robi Botos – playing some of Peterson’s iconic songs, along with performances by Peterson himself, helping tie together the impact of Peterson’s legacy on the contemporary jazz scene. Interviews from current artists like Billy Joel and archival interviews from the likes of Nat King Cole also help fill out the influence Peterson had on his fellow musicians. Many of them recount the story of how it felt like Oscar Peterson played the piano so quickly that it felt like he had four hands, and how he was still better than any other pianist following his 1993 stroke.
One of the more moving sequences of the film is when Avrich delves into Oscar Peterson’s “Hymn to Freedom” and how the song became a civil rights anthem. A performance of the song is interwoven with struggles from the civil rights movement of the 1960s along with other key historical moments of Black resistance, right up to the more recent murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor at the hands of police. The film briefly touches on Peterson’s experiences touring the Jim Crow South, as well as the groundwork he laid for future Black artists, though these moments could have been deeper if they had the chance to be explored further.
With a slick runtime of only 83 minutes, Oscar Peterson: Black + White simply does not have enough time to fully cover the entirety of Peterson’s life and musical impact. He is simply a giant of jazz and covering everything about Oscar Peterson is a monstrous task that would never fit into one feature-length film. But the documentary does just enough to keep Oscar Peterson: Black + White feeling like the perfect slice of Peterson’s life, hopefully leading the audience to the whole pie after the credits roll. The documentary presents an incredible balance of encapsulating both Peterson’s life and influence. Seeing Peterson’s legacy unfold on screen is simply a treat, and Nicolas Kleiman’s fast-paced editing mixes well with the fast hands of Oscar Peterson.
While Oscar Peterson: Black + White may feel like a familiar music documentary, Barry Avrich genuinely does such an impeccable job covering the monumental life and legacy of Oscar Peterson. It is a fitting tribute to the piano virtuoso, perfectly capturing how his music and Peterson himself became so beloved in Canada and across the world.