I'm a musician and, just as the critics are hard on me, I'm hard on the critics.

- Oscar Peterson

I don't require lust, sex, or classic beauty; I require trust, respect, and honesty. All else builds from there.

- Oscar Peterson

He's not a performer, he's not a composer, he's not even a musician, but Norman Granz is Mr. Jazz.

- Oscar Peterson

It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo. You not only have to know your own instrument, you must know the others and h…

- Oscar Peterson

Some people try to get very philosophical and cerebral about what they're trying to say with jazz. You don't need any prologues, you just play. If yo…

- Oscar Peterson

Sweets [Edison] can say more with one note than any other Jazz player alive... an approach that stresses simplicity, glorious tone, natural potency a…

- Oscar Peterson

I don't do something because I think it will sell 30 million albums. I couldn't care less. If it sells one, it sells one.

- Oscar Peterson

It's the group sound that's important, even when you're playing a solo.

- Oscar Peterson

Montreal was a very active jazz center until club owners started putting in strippers instead of music. Before long, there was nothing to hear.

- Oscar Peterson