Canadian jazz pianist Oliver Jones, an Oscar Peterson protege, dead

Canadian pianist Oliver Jones, whose varied musical career took him from classical to pop to jazz stages around the world, has died.

He was 91.

In a statement posted online, Jones’s family and his record label, Justin Time Records, says the celebrated virtuoso passed away on Wednesday in Montreal.

The family asked for privacy as they grieve.

Jones rose to stardom from the same impoverished Montreal neighbourhood as friend and mentor Oscar Peterson, studying piano as a child under Peterson’s sister Daisy.

Rooted in a classical education, Jones went on to a forge a career that spanned nearly all genres and included recordings with Peterson, Clark Terry, Ray Brown, Ed Thigpen, Herb Ellis and Red Mitchell.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2026.