Shannon Butcher has been going through all of her old Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong records, listening carefully to the backing by different versions of the Oscar Peterson trio that was the house band for some much of the superb Verve catalogue of the 1950s.
"I'm putting all those CDs on my iPod," she says. "I'm putting together a little Oscar playlist."
The problem is, there isn't a little Oscar playlist, there's only a large one.
"He's recorded everything," Butcher says with an admiring sigh.
The 29-year-old jazz singer, born and raised in Sheridan Homelands and a graduate of the special arts program at Cawthra Park Secondary School is getting a rare opportunity this week: she's on the bill with one of the most beloved artists in her field, or in any other field.
"It's pretty thrilling," says Butcher, who's main gig these days is with SwingRosie, the throwback swing-era vocal trio who are reviving and refreshing the music of the 1930s and ’40s.
"It's unbelievable. It's very flattering to have this opportunity."
Peterson, who still tours the world, has agreed to do a fundraising concert in his own backyard to get the enriched music and arts program at Oscar Peterson Public School off to a good start. The pianist, a 33-year resident of Mississauga, has always been a huge supporter of music education in schools and frequently lends a hand at many different levels.
When the Peel District School Board named a school in his honour this September, he wanted to do more than just provide a photo opportunity.
It's going to be an eclectic line-up starting with two children's choirs from the school, through Butcher's jazz combo to the legend himself.
A friend of Butcher's, Kirsten Fielding, who went to the University of Toronto with her and now teaches at the school thought of including the musician because Thursday's show is also going to be a showcase of the musical prowess of Peel's public schools.
Butcher's band includes Ross MacIntyre on bass and Sly Juhas on drums, both graduates of Cawthra, like Butcher. William Sperandei, who has studied trumpet with Ellis Marsalis, is a product of a Brampton high school. Hamilton pianist Adrian Farrugia rounds out the group.
"It's great to have all these kids introduced to jazz at such a young age," says Butcher about the concert.
"They may not know who Oscar Peterson is but I hope they enjoy it and remember it for a long time. I know I will."