In 1989, the Hasselblad (camera)
Company commissioned a portrait by Albert Gilbert of jazz pianist Oscar
Peterson. Gilbert was no stranger to the musician, as he had first photographed
him in 1955. Peterson, auditioning in Toronto, needed a quick portrait. His
taxi driver recommended a photo studio he knew-his brother-in-law's, Gilbert Studio.
Their paths have since crossed many times, and Gilbert considers this one of
his favorite portraits.

Al Gilbert has been photographing since
he was 18 years old. He has lectured throughout North America, Great Britain,
Australia, and China. In 1990 he was appointed to the Order of Canada and in
1994 given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Photographic Industry of
America.

Oscar Peterson, also a native
Canadian, has made hundreds of recordings and won numerous awards including six
Grammy Awards and the 1993 Glenn Gould Prize.