Songbooks +

Oscar Peterson’s “Songbooks +” on The Intense Media distills the pianist’s interpretive mastery into a focused collection of standards and originals. Peterson’s trio work—marked by his trademark stride technique and bebop-inflected comping—demonstrates why he remains jazz piano’s gold standard. This release captures the essence of his ability to navigate complex harmonic territory while maintaining melodic clarity, essential listening for anyone tracing modern jazz piano’s roots.