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Jazz stars HANK JONES and DIANA KRALL have joined a host of politicians in paying tribute to the late pianist and composer, OSCAR PETERSON.
The multiple Grammy winner died of kidney failure at his home in Toronto, Canada, on Monday (24Dec07). He was 82.
Peterson was one of jazz’s most celebrated musicians, releasing more than 200 albums in his 68-year career. His virtuoso style was envied by many and unmatchable by his peers, and his astounding recordings won him eight Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement accolade in 1997.
Remembering Peterson on Monday night, pianist Jones expressed his shock at the tragic news.
He said: "It’s hard for me to believe, even now. I just thought Oscar would be around for another 100 years. This is one of the saddest days of my life." Krall added, "(Peterson was) my person I looked up to." Others who have paid tribute to the jazz legend include Canada’s Governor General Michaelle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and French president, Nicholas Sarkozy, who hailed Peterson as a "bright light of jazz".
The late star rose to fame at the ender age of 14 after winning a TV talent contest, and he went on to work with fellow musical greats like Dizzy Gillespie, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
In his later years, Peterson - who was born in Montreal, Canada - received the country’s highest civilian honour and was made a Companion of the Order of Canada. He also became the first living Canadian to be honoured on a postage stamp.
He was also set to be presented with the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame Founder’s Award next year (08).
Peterson is survived by his fourth wife, Kelly, their daughter Celine, and his six children from previous relationships. (MT/WNWCCB&WNWC) WENN - BREAKING NEWS - 25 DECEMBER 2007 ————————————————————————–

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Legendary Broadway choreographer MICHAEL KIDD has lost his battle with cancer.
He was 92.
Kidd died on Sunday (23Dec07) at his home in Los Angeles.
Born Milton Greenwald in New York City, Kidd began his career as a dancer at the Big Apple’s Ballet Theater, and was given his first opportunity to choreograph in 1945.
But it was in 1947 when Kidd’s career really began to take off and he was invited to work on a theatre production of Finian’s Rainbow. His efforts won him his first of five Tony Awards, before moving into Hollywood.
On the big screen, Kidd is perhaps best known for his work on 1954’s Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and directing dances for Fred Astaire in 1953 comedy, The Band Wagon, and Marlon Brando in 1955’s Guys and Dolls.
His innovative dance sequences earned him much high praise, and in 1997 he was recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and presented with a special prize for "his services in the art of the dance in the art of the screen".
But his biggest success remained in theatre, where his choreography in shows like Can-Can in 1954, and Destry Rides Again in 1960, won him a further four Tony Awards.
He even received critical acclaim for one of his few ventures into television, earning himself an Emmy nomination in 1981 for directing former Sex and the City star Mikhail Baryshnikov in Baryshnikov in Hollywood.
Kidd is survived by his second wife, former dancer Shelah Hackett, and their two children, Amy and Matthew, as well as his two daughters from an earlier marriage, Kristine and Susan, reports the New York Times.

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)

Ex-B2K star RAZ B has accused the band’s former manager CHRIS STOKES of child molestation.
Raz B - real name DeMario Thorton - makes the shocking revelations in a new internet video, in which he and his older brother, Ricardo, claim to have suffered at the hands of Stokes during their early teens.
And the 22-year-old Bump, Bump, Bump star believes his old bandmates, Omarion, Lil’ Fizz and J-Boog, have also been victims of Stokes’ reported paedophilia.
In video footage posted on YouTube.com, Raz B is seen being asked a series of questions by the sister of singer/actor Marques Houston - one of Stokes’ longtime clients - who has also been accused of taking part in the molestation.
When asked when the inappropriate behaviour first began, Raz B says, "It all started with Chris Stokes. Chris was like - let me touch you… I can’t speak for everybody, but if you want my personal opinion, I think he did (touch all group members)." Ricardo - known professionally as singer Ricky Romantic - blames himself for failing to save his brother from Stokes’ alleged exploits.
He adds, "Chris (Stokes) made me take showers with the other boys… All the (things) that my brother was introduced to, that s**t was brought to me first… (Stokes) molested my brother and he molested me… when I say that, it hurts." And in a telephone call to a man believed to be Stokes, also documented in the video, the manager appears to confess to the crimes, saying: "I don’t do that anymore. That was me years ago… I just don’t do that in my life anymore." But Stokes has hit back at the Thortons’ allegations, and claims the false accusations were made in revenge after he cut them off from his payroll.
In a statement released on Monday (24Dec07), Stokes says: "The accusations that DeMario ‘Raz B’ Thorton and Ricardo Thorton have made are vehemently false and hold no merit.
"I have recently stopped financially supporting both individuals along with assisting them with their criminal and legal matters, which leads me to believe they are resentful and looking to benefit financially from this." Stokes has also threatened the siblings with legal action: "My family is my first priority and the reason why I have been so supportive of them. In bringing these false claims, they have not only slandered me, they have also put me in a position to ensure that the truth is known and I will take all legal routes to protect myself, my family and my four children." A spokesman for Houston could not be reached as WENN went to press.
(MT/WNWNSB&WNWC) WENN - BREAKING NEWS - 24 DECEMBER 2007 ————————————————————————–

Movie & Entertainment News provided by World Entertainment News Network (www.wenn.com)