Banff Crag & Canyon: “To the world, Oscar Peterson was the greatest jazz musician Canada ever produced. In his seven decades composing and playing, the Montreal born musician changed the face of jazz music. To Banff, he was one of the men who founded what would become one of the premiere jazz programs in the nation. Peterson died December 23 at his home in Mississauga, Ont., from kidney failure. He was 82.”But his legacy will live on in Banff where the jazz program he helped build continues to attract musicians from all over looking to take part in the unique Canadian jazz training program. The initial workshop came out of a chance meeting that David Leighton, then president of The Banff Centre, had with Peterson and fellow jazz musician Phil Nimmons in 1972 in Toronto where they were being interviewed for a TV show. Leighton asked the two if they wanted to put their jazz education ideas into practice at the centre and in July 1974, a week-long workshop was held with them along with Dave Young and Stan Perry. It was so successful it was decided to continue it the following year. Nimmons was appointed artistic head and in 1975 the program was extended to two weeks. Though Peterson was unable to return for any of the subsequent summer programs, his impact was felt for years to come. “He was a great inspiration to have in Banff. That was the start of the jazz program that has run ever since,” said Canmore resident Neil Armstrong, who was director of the centre of the arts at The Banff Centre in 1974. “He only came one year, he was so busy with his performing career, but then other people became involved and it’s one of the most outstanding programs.” Armstrong said he’d often sit in on sessions Peterson was having with students and listen to the jazz great at work. “It was magic sitting there listening to him,” Armstrong said. “He was classically trained initially and he knew the classical repertoire.” And though Peterson was at the centre only one time, Armstrong said he was crucial to the jazz program’s success. “He was a key person in terms of giving it life at the outset,” he said. “He was an inspirational startup person.” But perhaps even more than that, Armstrong said Peterson was a genuine person who brought his touch of “magic” to The Banff Centre. “He was not only a great pianist, he was very lovely person,” he said.