Mint to launch coin commemorating legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson

The Royal Canadian Mint is launching a special coin celebrating late music legend Oscar Peterson. Peterson, seen here in Toronto being honoured by Canada Post on his 80th birthday with his picture on a Canadian stamp on Aug. 15, 2005, is widely regarded as one of the foremost jazz pianists of his generation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

By The Canadian Press

Posted August 11, 2022 4:00 am.

Last Updated August 11, 2022 4:02 am.

TORONTO — The Royal Canadian Mint is launching a special coin celebrating late music legend Oscar Peterson.

The one-dollar circulation coin is set to be unveiled at a Toronto event this morning.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to be in attendance alongside the jazz pianist’s widow, Kelly Peterson, and daughter, Céline Peterson.

Pianist and composer Thompson Egbo-Egbo will pay tribute to Peterson with a special performance.

Born in Montreal in 1925, Peterson is widely regarded as one of the foremost jazz pianists of his generation, winning numerous Juno and Grammy Awards over his 60-year career.

He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame before dying of kidney failure in 2007 at the age of 82.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 11, 2022.

The Canadian Press

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