A Legend on the Stage Meets a Legend on the Water

-        Oscar Peterson Fishes Saanich Inlet With Jim Gilbert, Oh, and Plays his Piano at Night

He’s Playing Fish – Then His Piano

May 1969, by Bill Thomas

Film fans may have the idea that jazz musicians sit around dressing rooms between their sets discussing music in odd jargon over limitless supplies of drink. The room has to be filled with girls, seen through a haze of cigarette smoke.

No producer would believe the scene below the stage in Memorial Arena, where jazz award winner Oscar Peterson and his trio have their dressing room. As soon as the leader got off the stage Wednesday he was surrounded by musicians.

There was no talk of jazz, drink, horses or girls. The entire band wanted only one question answered: “How was the fishing, Oscar?”

The Toronto-based pianist could only reply, “Just great, man. I got the limit with Jim Gilbert in Brentwood Bay, and I’m going back tomorrow.”

After that, the talk got really technical. “What time did they start to strike? What weight were you using? How deep were you? What lure did you have on? How thick was the herring strip? Were you on the bottom with a steel line? Exactly what time did you get the first strike and where?”

Oscar Peterson will be out there this morning ready for fishing at 7 a.m. “I think there are a few left out there that I missed. I just happen to be an oddball in this business. Most guys like to get back to the city and go downtown. Me, I like to get out and fish, and my wife likes it too. She was really pleased to catch two salmon. It was her first time with big fish.”

The date to play the Victoria Exhibition came as a surprise to the jazz pianist.

“It was really strange. I have played a couple of county fairs, but this is even different from those. I was never aware it would be like this. Still it’s good to work different conditions. It keeps me fresh.

“We have adapted our material to the crowd and we are doing middle-of-the-road things.”

His clear, clean style with such tunes as On a Clear Day and Too Marvellous for Words drew an ovation. He plays effortlessly, but with great drive and determination. Most of his action comes just from the wrist.

If Oscar Peterson fishes with the same determination, he will be in around noon with another limit catch.

He will play two shows a day until the exhibition closes Saturday. The rest of the time he hopes to be playing big salmon.

Oscar Peterson and his wife (Google records that Sandra King was his wife during the time this photo was taken):

And a truly iconic image of Jim Gilbert netting a salmon: