Oscar Peterson: Black + White

Play trailer

Oscar Peterson: Black + White

2020

1h 21m

Documentary

Music

Biography

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

73%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

A celebration of the life and career of Oscar Peterson, one of Canada's greatest jazz musicians and a master pianist.

Watch on Hulu

Stream Now

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

This is a documentary that discreetly does not concern itself much with Peterson’s personality, and concentrates on the music, which is entirely worthwhile.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 24, 2023

Full Review

Ciara Wardlow

RogerEbert.com

In trying to encompass a whole life in 90 minutes, its breadth renders any particular depth impossible.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 15, 2022

Full Review

Calum Marsh

New York Times

At almost every opportunity, Avrich undermines these numbers by cutting to one of an endless lineup of talking heads, usually to repeat predictable platitudes about Peterson’s brilliance.

Feb 15, 2022

Full Review

Sebastian Scotney

The Arts Desk

The film is all about the glory of Peterson’s music. It is not only what underpins and carries the story when this film is at its best, it's also what lasts.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 24, 2023

Full Review

Bill Brioux

Brioux.tv

The other important voice in the work is Peterson’s widow, Kelly Peterson... Their meeting and subsequent togetherness is the love story that brings harmony to this true life tale.

Sep 7, 2022

Full Review

Martha K. Baker

KDHX (St. Louis)

Imperfect, but vivid.

Mar 5, 2022

Full Review

Read all reviews

brian w

I drove home today listening to Oscar. Some were ballads and all were standards. What OP In Black and White failed to recognize was his ability to subtly inject soul into everything he played. He did so without resorting to funk clichés. The film over-emphasis his ability to play and improvise while playing at great speed. Yes, it would hard to display the virtuosity of OP in anything less than a full length feature film.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Barry Avrich

Director

Billy Joel

Self

Jon Batiste

Self

Herbie Hancock

Self

Ramsey Lewis

Self

Branford Marsalis

Self

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind

89%

85%

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story

100%

%

Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story

Watchlist

Cunningham

89%

71%

Cunningham

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Cunningham

Sloane: A Jazz Singer

%

%

Sloane: A Jazz Singer

Watchlist

Zappa

96%

81%

Zappa

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

A celebration of the life and career of Oscar Peterson, one of Canada's greatest jazz musicians and a master pianist.

Director: Barry Avrich
Producer: Barry Avrich, Mark Selby, Randy Lennox
Screenwriter: Barry Avrich
Production Co: Melbar Entertainment Group
Genre: Documentary, Music, Biography
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 21m

Most Popular at Home Now