The fourth release from Sony Masterworks and Zenph Sound Innovations in their piano “re-performance® series” is Oscar Peterson: Unmistakable. Peterson recorded these previously unreleased tracks during the 1970s and 1980s. The re-performances® capture the renowned jazz pianist playing at the height of his powers with some tracks never-before-heard by the public. Available exclusively in 5.1 surround and binaural headphones on iTrax, Oscar Peterson: Unmistakable extends the acclaimed technological breakthrough featured in prior Sony/Zenph releases of Glenn Gould, Sergei Rachmaninoff and Art Tatum.

“We collaborated closely with the Peterson family and a superstar team of professionals to create this album,” noted Dr. John Q. Walker, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Zenph. “What we’ve achieved is nothing short of miraculous: one of the world’s greatest jazz pianists, playing one of the world’s finest instruments, recorded in the most famous recording studio on Earth, Abbey Road. This is a high-water mark for our technology, and we are awestruck by the results.” Alex Miller, Senior Vice President of Sony Masterworks adds, “The results of the latest Sony/Zenph collaboration are truly breathtaking. We are incredibly proud to add to Oscar Peterson’s recorded legacy this level of technological and musical virtuosity.”

Zenph’s team was led by Dr. Anatoly Larkin, Director of Performance Analysis for Zenph. Peterson was personally involved in the production of this unique album. In early 2007, Peterson invited Dr. Larkin and Dr. Walker to his home after having heard about the company’s unique technology. The Zenph team demonstrated a Yamaha® Disklavier Pro piano playing  Peterson examples of their re-performances. They also played re-performances of his mentor and idol, Art Tatum. After hearing his hero playing live again, Peterson was convinced and agreed to the project. As a technology advocate, Peterson was enthusiastic about the possibilities of the new Zenph technology. The pianist died later that year.

Zenph employs a proprietary process that uses computer software to analyze previously recorded music and encode it for playback on a high tech player piano, allowing fidelity improvements and surround sound versions to be produced. The Zenph team began with video recordings and several unreleased, private recordings of exceptional performances by Peterson. The team used a high tech “player piano” Bösendorfer Imperial concert grand piano (Peterson was a Bösendorfer artist) to precisely replay the mastery of Peterson’s original takes. Credits include GRAMMY®-winning producer David Lai, GRAMMY®-winning recording audio engineer Arne Akselberg, piano technician Marc Wienert, and electronics wizard Richard Shepherd. The album was recorded in stereo, binaural and surround-sound.

About Sony Masterworks

Sony Masterworks USA comprises the Masterworks Broadway, Masterworks, Masterworks Jazz, RCA Red Seal and Sony Classical imprints. For email updates and information please visit www.SonyMasterworks.com.

About Zenph Sound Innovations

Zenph® Sound Innovations is a music technology company based in Durham, North Carolina. The company’s work was named one of the “Best Ideas of the Year” by The New York Times Magazine and has received multiple GRAMMY® nominations. The astonishing fidelity and nuance of recordings produced by Zenph software has earned the company accolades from music lovers and critics the world over, including astonishing, back-to-back, perfect-10 reviews from The Absolute Sound and a “Record To Die For” distinction from Stereophile. Recent Zenph albums with Sony Masterworks include Glenn Gould playing Bach’s Goldberg Variations, Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff, Art Tatum: Piano Starts Here, Live At The Shrine, and Joshua Bell: At Home with Friends.

Oscar Peterson at his piano

Audio Samples:

1. Body and Soul –
   
2. Back Home Again In Indiana –
   
3. The Man I Love –
   
4. Who Can I Turn To –
   
5. When I Fall In Love –
   
6. Duke Ellington Medley –
   
7. Con Alma –
   
8. Goodbye –