Jim Hession records Oscar Peterson's Hymn To Freedom

[Starliner57]

What a great job! Thanks for posting this wonderful performance!

[monkey122390]

Puts a smile on my face every-time. How long have you been playing sir? Do you know any classical peices by Chopin by any chance?

[monkey122390]

Mr. Hession, I had to create a Youtube account just to say that I'm very impressed with your interpetation and that I envy your talent. 

[sailin1934]

this man plays fantastic piano, but truth be told if i had to choose and i know it's personal preference but i would rather listen to errol garner.

[MrJaiLeeworthy]

:D the camera man is dancing!

[buzizzy]

Good God! That is fab!!!

[TelevisualFilmes]

Very nice! It's the best improvisation and incredible style!

[corocyan]

Cool!!!!!

I love your piano.

[lowhigh000]

you gotta be my teacher, i'll learn so fast

[lowhigh000]

you gotta be my teacher, i'll learn so fast

[giakmar]

complimenti !!

grande artista

[tonydiniz]

Awesome version. You're good. 5 stars

[TBWSantaFe]

Very nice! I've got this on my playlist and will be studying your work. Thanks for posting this. It certainly has added to my life.

[crazypianolady]

What a nice comment! I know what you mean about 'added to my life'. Every piano jazz piece I hear adds to my soul. I'm gonna be overflowing soon!

[sinprelic]

no words!

[natt4212]

genious...

[sczucz]

wow you're really good!!

[Dopaminium]

It's the best improvisation I've ever heard. Awesome!

[allodara]

Hello from Montreal mister Jim. I'll put that on my favorite for sure ! Well done.

[suchasweettooth]

this is what improvisation truly means :D awesome!

[MikeyL]

A real twist and some personal energy to Oscar's Anthem. Thank you.

[philipcwelch]

That swings

[wilda69]

Jim, Great to hear you play Oscar's Hymn to Freedom in your own way. Too many seem to just follow his sheet music. Left hand has a lot of "rocking" power. Well done!

[christopherw89]

You added some really interesting licks in there, great playing.

[Protossz010]

THIS IS JUST FANTASTIC..

do you mind if i can have sheet music of it??

I'd really like to play it!~~

[jazznbear]

I learned this years ago off an Oscar Peterson L.P. (I think it was his "Night Train" album from the 1960's). Several others in related videos seem to be reading the music,so I am sure it is available.Check with them to see if they can scan a copy for you.Thanks for listening.

[CBasie2856]

What style do you think is the best sounding -Oscar Peterson's style, Fats Waller's style, James P Johnson's style, Willie The Lion Smith's style, or Art Tatum's style? In my opinion, it would have to be between Fats Waller and Oscar Peterson.

[jazznbear]

I would have to know what you mean by "best sounding". You have named five of the most prominent jazz pianists in history,all with highly individual styles. There is a certain lineage involved that plays a major factor in the older player influencing the younger players' developing style. Johnson and the Lion begat Fats who begat Tatum who begat Peterson.

[tsunami019]

You really know how to improvise, great job.

[misterlafleur]

Magnifique. Vous méritez un Oscar.

[PTSIPT]

just gorgeous

[MikeyL]

What an awesome way to play this out - as Oscar and this piece are my favs. He lives on - he's with us and he's at peace making more music so when it's our turn we'll be back partying with him! Cool stuff.

[3n0n]

Genius.

[10milesfromnowhere]

Now see, this is what my version was supposed to sound like :)

Amazing, very jazzy (and way more jazzy than I'll ever be/get).

[gammaray0wn]

wow amazing! such a great groove you get into

[spassgamer]

hey thank you

[IntelInside2020]

excellent! i love your interpretation

[requiem160]

nice job mate, been my favourite song for many years now . Great to hear your interpretation 8)

[FireStata]

Man, you are AWESOME!!

I can't play the piano at all but buddy after watching you I certainly wanna learn NOW:D

[jazznbear]

Go for it!

[cannedtea]

absolutely stunning!

How did you learn to play like that? =X

[jazznbear]

Practice piano technique, study music theory and listen analytically to the musical ideas of other instrumentalists and singers-in any style. Every time I sit down at the keyboard I start fresh and allow new ideas and concepts to develop. The only thing I can not do is to replay an improvisation-if it is not recorded I usually do not remember what I did.

[hattilein]

Great!!

[Chudlyfudly]

wow....awesome :) how long did it take you to learn to improvise like that? its just incredible... im 18 and i started off with classical piano, but im really really into jazz and just love listening to it, im just struggling to improvise...how did you go about learning? or was it more sort of natural ability for you? thanks so much for such an inspirational vid :D

[jazznbear]

I will message you through your YouTube account,because there is such limited space on this reply venue.

Thank you for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the cut, which except for the basic melody was all improvised.

[Matchewa]

next time take a few more takes... nice harmonies though

[unchainedd]

greatest

[chrandioso]

Is that the sound of a piano?

[jazznbear]

Yes!

[chrandioso]

good technique!

[jazznbear]

Thank you!

[pierrjazz]

Excellent! Bravo!!