Obstructed view seating available for sale at the NAC Box Office at 50% off the regular ticket price.

Oliver was born and raised in Saint Henri, a predominantly working class area of Montreal, several blocks from Peterson, and young Oliver would sit on the Peterson porch, listening to the older boy practice. Oscar's sister, Daisy Peterson Sweeney, became his first piano teacher, with lessons continuing for the next twelve years. These lessons solidified young Jones' skills, which were already considerable; Oliver was performing publicly at age five, and by the time he had his first nightclub appearance, he was nine.

Yuletide Swing (1994) was an excellent seasonal recording, winning Oliver a Félix (Québec's "Grammy" awards) for best jazz recording. Familiar favorites are revitalized with Jones' usual flair. Oliver's second solo recording, Just 88, was recorded in New Orleans in 1993, and features sparkling versions of such gems as "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" and "Willow Weep For Me," as well as Jones originals "Blues For Laurentian U" and "Dizzy-Nest;" it too was awarded a Félix. A Class Act (1991) featured longtime Oscar Peterson alumnus Ed Thigpen on drums and bassist Steve Wallace, and boasted a classic jazz trio sound. The recording also features memorable versions of "Very Early" and "Hymn To Freedom." Trumpet legend Clark Terry added his magic to Just Friends, a 1990 session later awarded a Juno Award ("Jazz Recording of the Year").  

Oliver Jones' inspiration is not confined to the artistic community. He's also the proud recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. award, celebrating his contributions to the Black Community in Canada and in his native Montreal. In 1993 he received the Order of Québec, the province's highest honour, and the next year he was awarded the Order of Canada, for "outstanding achievement in the arts." That same year, at the invitation of the Government of Canada, Jones toured several cities in China with bassist Dave Young and drummer Barry Elmes. 

He has been honoured in Ottawa by Canada's new Governor General Michaëlle Jean, as a recipient of the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards for lifetime artistic achievement. His esteemed colleagues also being lauded were singer k.d. lang, actress Jackie Burroughs, choreographer Peter Boneham, playwright Marcel Dubé and cultural entrepreneur Moses Znaimer.