OTTAWA (AFP) - French and Canadian leaders on Tuesday paid tribute to legendary jazz musician Oscar Peterson, who died Sunday after a long illness.
"Oscar Peterson rose from humble roots in Montreals Little Burgundy to storm the very heights of the music world," said Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, describing the pianist as a "technical and creative master."
"Peterson was not simply a giant in Canadian music, but a giant in music period," Harper said, offering condolences to Petersons family.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy lamented the loss of Peterson and said he had been loved by the French people.
"He was a regular on the French stage, where the public adored his luminous style," Sarkozy said according to CTV. "It is a great loss for us."
The Canadian pianist and composer, who reportedly died of kidney failure late Sunday, played with all the greats during his six decades in the business with a versatile style that ranged from boogie-woogie to stride to bebop.
