None other than Duke Ellington called Oscar Peterson the "Maharajah of the keyboard."

Count Basie said the Canadian pianist played -- and we quote -- "the best ivory box I've ever heard."

Today, it was announced that Oscar Peterson has died of kidney failure.

He was 82 years old.

Peterson passed away in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga.

He lived there...when he wasn't on the road, that is, amazing jazz fans with his fast fingers and extraordinary talent.

The World's Alex Gallafent has this appreciation.