Peter Leitch R.I.P.

[Peter Friedman]

I was saddened to hear of the passing of jazz guitarist Peter Leitch.

My first experience with Leitch was when I reviewed his first album - Jump Street recorded 1981 for the Canadian label Jazz House - for CODA Magazine. Unfortunately that record was never reissued on CD.

I was visiting Toronto not long after my review, and along with my friend John Norris went to hear Leitch at a local Toronto Club. He was leaving for New York a few days after the gig and would soon become a fixture on the scene there. Following Peter's last set that evening we had a chance to talk.

That was the only time I recall seeing Peter Leitch play live, but have very much enjoyed many of his recordings for labels such as Reservoir and Concord. 

 

 

 

[mjzee]

I have two of his albums on Reservoir.  RIP.

[John Tapscott]

2 hours ago, Peter Friedman said:

I was saddened to hear of the passing of jazz guitarist Peter Leitch.

My first experience with Leitch was when I reviewed his first album - Jump Street recorded 1981 for the Canadian label Jazz House - for CODA Magazine. Unfortunately that record was never reissued on CD.

I was visiting Toronto not long after my review, and along with my friend John Norris went to hear Leitch at a local Toronto Club. He was leaving for New York a few days after the gig and would soon become a fixture on the scene there. Following Peter's last set that evening we had a chance to talk.

That was the only time I recall seeing Peter Leitch play live, but have very much enjoyed many of his recordings for labels such as Reservoir and Concord. 

 

 

 

"Jump Street" was reissued a few years ago on LP (but not on CD) on the Jazz House label. 

The full album can be heard here on youtube.

 

 

[Kevin Bresnahan]

I always wanted to see Leitch live but I don't think he ever toured through Boston. I enjoy the Reservoir CD "Exhilaration", with Pepper Adams on several tracks.

[sgcim]

I met Peter at a Phil Woods Clinic being held at LIU in Brooklyn. Peter was there with his camera taking photos of the event. He was a very friendly guy, and great guitarist.

I remember him raving about the album Jim Hall made with Art Farmer, where they played Swedish folk songs. I checked it out, and was surprised to find it was a very dark album, consisting of these songs that were all in minor keys, and very diatonic.

RIP.

 

 

 

[Big Al]

I've only ever heard Up Front and Colours & Dimensions, both very good with a very distinct sound. Sad to hear.

Edited 7 hours ago by Big Al
Misremembered the album titles

[Eric]

I have always liked that Jump Street album cover.

[Ken Dryden]

On’t overlook his final CD with his New Life Orchestra, which consists of his originals and arrangements, written after cancer treatment damaged nerves in one arm.