Canadians will quickly be capable to carry a chunk of nationwide music historical past of their wallets with the launch of a coin commemorating legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson.
The Royal Canadian Mint unveiled a one-dollar circulation coin Thursday honouring the late Montreal artist.
Mint president and CEO Marie Lemay says Peterson is each the primary Black Canadian and the primary musician to be featured on a circulation coin.
The Mint is issuing three million cash depicting Peterson, know as “the person with 4 arms,” enjoying the piano.
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His widow, Kelly Peterson, says the illustration additionally consists of the ultimate notes of his 1962 composition, “Hymn to Freedom,” which was embraced as an anthem of the civil rights motion.
The coin will begin circulating on Aug. 15 to coincide with Peterson’s birthday.
Pianist and composer Thompson Egbo-Egbo paid tribute to Peterson with a particular efficiency on the unveiling in Toronto.
Born in Montreal in 1925, Peterson is extensively thought to be one of many foremost jazz pianists of his era, profitable quite a few Juno and Grammy Awards over his 60-year profession.
He was inducted into the Canadian Music Corridor of Fame earlier than dying of kidney failure in 2007 on the age of 82.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
