An Oscar Peterson Story

The Canadian broadcaster Len Dobbin sent this Oscar Peterson anecdote to the Jazz West Coast listserve:

Oscar, after having visited friends outside of London, was waiting for a train back. The train station platform was on the foggy side when he spotted a man who looked familiar. He approached him and asked would he be Charles Laughton. Laughton replied he was and Oscar told him how much he enjoyed his work. Laughton then asked Oscar his name and what he did and when Oscar said he was a pianist, Laughton asked, "Jazz or classical?" When Oscar said jazz, Laughton asked him if he had any pot. Oscar's answer was negative. Laughton walked away.

Pepper Adams told me that Laughton and Elsa Lanchester were known to serve pot as the post- dinner course at their home.

Len Dobbin