Hymn To Freedom

Hymn To Freedom

Oscar Peterson's Music

Oscar Peterson is renowned not only domestically in Canada, but also more regionally, and even internationally as an influential African-Canadian artist and Jazz musician. One of his most popular songs, “Hymn To Freedom” published in 1963, was borne out of his experience of marginalization in Canada and the desire to use music as a way of furthering the human rights movement, influenced by the words of Martin Luther King Jr. (who was himself inspired by this song, and used it prevalently as an anthem for the civil rights era.). It’s with this background that, hearing this song performed, gives a profound look at a more personal side of African diaspora experience.

Oscar Peterson

The clip (0-1:50) can be found traced with the following:

Peterson, Oscar. “Hymn To Freedom.” UMG Recordings, Inc, January 1, 1963. Song, 5 min., 33 seconds. Youtube, July 31, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy25C_s288g.

UMG Recordings, Inc

1963

All Rights Reserved (and the youtube video specifically is under a Standard Youtube License)

Video file

English

Sound