I count myself blessed to have been able to see Oscar Peterson's trio of the time, the great Ray Brown on bass and "master of brushes" Ed Thigpen on drums, in Seattle in 1961. I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington, and was on leave for a weekend. Two of my buddies were jazz fans and I went with them to a club on First Avenue. There was a $5 cover charge and two-drink minimum, which didn't bother any of us. We arrived early and got seats right in front of the bandstand, in which we stayed through two long sets. This very large and commanding figure came out and seated himself at the piano. I was soon blown away, mesmerized by Peterson's pyrotechnics; his astonishing technique and purity of sound. I had never seen or heard anything like it. I was a country boy with a folk music background, but I could recognize greatness when I heard it. I had never heard of Oscar Peterson prior to that night, but would never forget it nor forget the rare chance I had to see him up close in live performance and to spend a few minutes speaking with him between sets. We have lost a towering talent, no matter what genre of music you favor.