Biography
A talented straight-ahead guitarist from Canada, Peter Leitch built his reputation on swinging hard bop and jazz rooted in the standards repertoire. He first drew notice as a New York performer in the early 1980s, appearing alongside saxophonist Jed Levy, organist Jack McDuff, pianist Jaki Byard, and additional colleagues. In addition to producing sessions and authoring liner notes, Leitch issued a series of refined small-group recordings such as the 1986 date On a Misty Night, the 1995 collection Colours & Dimensions, and the 2014 set Landscape. Medical concerns prompted his withdrawal from the bandstand after 2015, after which he concentrated on writing and arranging for the New Life Orchestra, an ensemble that made its recorded debut with the 2020 album New Life.
Born in Ottawa in 1944, Leitch took up the guitar during his teenage years and soon gravitated toward jazz. Private study supplemented his listening, which centered on Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Kenny Burrell. Relocating to Toronto during the 1970s, he performed with pianist Oscar Peterson, the Al Grey–Jimmy Forrest Quintets, pianist Sadik Hakim, and further associates. His first album as leader, Jump Street, appeared on the Jazz House label in 1981, followed a year later by Sometime in Another Life.
The move to New York City in 1983 placed Leitch in steady demand as a sideman. A durable association with saxophonist Jed Levy developed, while engagements with Jack McDuff and Jaki Byard continued and a recording with trumpeter Woody Shaw took place. Leitch also maintained his own ensembles, issuing the third leader date On a Misty Night in 1986, then Red Zone in 1988, Mean What You Say in 1990, and From Another Perspective in 1992.
Broader activities emerged as he produced albums for pianist Benny Green, organist Mike LeDonne, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, drummer Billy Drummond, and others. Journalism, photography, and extensive liner-note contributions further occupied his time. Additional recordings arrived in the 1990s, among them the 1995 session Colours & Dimensions that featured trumpeter Claudio Roditi, saxophonist Gary Bartz, pianist John Hicks, bassist Rufus Reid, and additional musicians. That same year Leitch and Hicks documented the duo album Duality.
The 2000 release Blues on the Corner presented vocalist Kendra Shank, saxophonist Bobby Watson, pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Dwayne Burno, and drummer Billy Hart. Autobiography appeared in 2004 and reunited Leitch with Levy and pianist George Cables. Self Portrait, his first unaccompanied guitar recording, followed in 2007. A collaboration with guitarist Chad Coe yielded Sympatico in 2010, and the trio date Landscape arrived in 2014. Citing ongoing medical issues, Leitch stepped back from performing in 2015 to devote himself to composing and arranging for the Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra, whose inaugural album, New Life, was released in 2020.
Born in Ottawa in 1944, Leitch took up the guitar during his teenage years and soon gravitated toward jazz. Private study supplemented his listening, which centered on Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Kenny Burrell. Relocating to Toronto during the 1970s, he performed with pianist Oscar Peterson, the Al Grey–Jimmy Forrest Quintets, pianist Sadik Hakim, and further associates. His first album as leader, Jump Street, appeared on the Jazz House label in 1981, followed a year later by Sometime in Another Life.
The move to New York City in 1983 placed Leitch in steady demand as a sideman. A durable association with saxophonist Jed Levy developed, while engagements with Jack McDuff and Jaki Byard continued and a recording with trumpeter Woody Shaw took place. Leitch also maintained his own ensembles, issuing the third leader date On a Misty Night in 1986, then Red Zone in 1988, Mean What You Say in 1990, and From Another Perspective in 1992.
Broader activities emerged as he produced albums for pianist Benny Green, organist Mike LeDonne, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, drummer Billy Drummond, and others. Journalism, photography, and extensive liner-note contributions further occupied his time. Additional recordings arrived in the 1990s, among them the 1995 session Colours & Dimensions that featured trumpeter Claudio Roditi, saxophonist Gary Bartz, pianist John Hicks, bassist Rufus Reid, and additional musicians. That same year Leitch and Hicks documented the duo album Duality.
The 2000 release Blues on the Corner presented vocalist Kendra Shank, saxophonist Bobby Watson, pianist Renee Rosnes, bassist Dwayne Burno, and drummer Billy Hart. Autobiography appeared in 2004 and reunited Leitch with Levy and pianist George Cables. Self Portrait, his first unaccompanied guitar recording, followed in 2007. A collaboration with guitarist Chad Coe yielded Sympatico in 2010, and the trio date Landscape arrived in 2014. Citing ongoing medical issues, Leitch stepped back from performing in 2015 to devote himself to composing and arranging for the Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra, whose inaugural album, New Life, was released in 2020.
Albums
