Who knows Peter Leitch?

[2bornot2bop]

Featured here with the great pianist John Hicks.

[David B]

Peter Leitch is one of my favourite musicians. I've had the pleasure of visiting him at his home during visits to NYC in 2016 and March 2023. A previous thread on him here: Peter Leitch

[sgcim]

I just played with a drummer who knows him very well. He said Peter will never play the guitar again because of a devastating illness, but now composes some great music.

[wintermoon]

An interview from a couple yrs ago...

Peter Leitch: New Life Orchestra Interview with Jazz Guitar Life – Jazz Guitar Life

[losaltosjoe]

Off the Books: A Jazz Life - Peter Leitch

[sgcim]

I also met him at a Phil Woods clinic in Brooklyn. He was there taking pictures (he's supposed to be a very good photographer) He's a great guy; we talked a lot about Jim Hall and Jimmy Raney.

He loved the album Jim Hall did with Art Farmer, playing Swedish folk songs.
I listened to it later; it just seemed like a lot of boring diatonic folk songs in minor keys.
Different strokes...

[DonEsteban]

I recorded a CD with him (as sound engineer and part producer) sometime in the early 90's. Nice guy, very reserved. I was a freelancer, so I never had any contact with him again. Typical "meet once and never again" situation you often have as a studio engineer. He was very tall and I wasn't happy with his guitar tuning, but the main producer forbade me to point that out to him.

Typical of things that pass you by....

[David B]

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[Alter]

He doesn't play anymore since 2015 (he had left hand nerve damage from cancer treatment). He is 79 years old I believe, these days he's composing.

I think he should have been more well known than he is. He has a lot of albums with great jazz and guitar playing, top notch players. Great old school player!

[grahambop]

I was lucky to see him here at the old Watermill club in 1995, I don’t suppose he made many visits to the UK. (Photo from that gig by Brian O’Connor.)

[joelf]

I knew him a bit in NYC. Superb musician, and, yes, he was a good photographer. He also wrote liner notes for Jimmy Raney's last recording, But Beautiful. A man for all seasons.

Those live sessions from Bradley's with John Hicks et al show his depth, ideas and especially knowledge and reverence for tradition. He belonged up there with Mr. Hicks. He was a comprehensive and wise player, and I'm glad that he's composing now in spite of the health setbacks.

Well done, Peter. A great life...

[joelf]

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That's my next book purchase.

Thanks!

[joelf]

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Just ordered it. I'm sure he's got quite a story to tell.

Thanks again!

[Cunamara]

I have read that. It was a very interesting read that does not really varnish the challenges and difficulties of being a professional jazz musician.

His photography is really quite good, as well, and later in life had some success with that. Covered in the book.

Peter Leitch Photographs

[David B]

I'm in NYC this week and plan to call in on Peter on Thursday for a coffee. I always stop by to pay my respects when I'm over.

[frabarmus]

"Who knows Peter Leitch?"

I do! I've got (and recommend) his Trio album "Up Front"

[starjasmine]

Those who read his book "Off the Books: A Jazz Life" - what did you think of it? Would you recommend it?
Jimmy Bruno hints that Leitch "names names" of so-called "guitar impostors" in this book, which has me a bit curious :-)

[David B]

I think ‘Off the Books’ is the best autobiography written by a jazz musician. It’s a raw, sober and honest look over a life as a working musician, playing creative music.

I’ve probably bought a dozen copies over the years for musician friends!

I got my own copy signed by Peter last autumn.

[David B]

I last visited Peter and his wife Sylvia in May this year. My third visit with them in the last 18 months. A great couple
of hours of good tea, conversation and listening to Hank Mobley! If you’re ever in NYC, reach out to him!

[Cunamara]

Those who read his book "Off the Books: A Jazz Life" - what did you think of it? Would you recommend it?
Jimmy Bruno hints that Leitch "names names" of so-called "guitar impostors" in this book, which has me a bit curious :-)

I have a copy of this and it was a fascinating read. I don't remember anything in particular about "guitar impostors" and I guess I'll have to read it again. He does not whitewash the highs and lows of being a professional jazz musician and casts a pretty critical eye on both himself and the jazz world. He is pretty forthright about his heroin addiction, from which he has been clean for quite a few years. He also discusses his parallel career as a photographer; many are available online and he has an interesting eye.

At least in the latter part of his career, he seems to have done an awful lot of solo guitar gigs around New York City (based on what's available on YouTube). He has a consistently nice sound and very much within the tradition at those gigs. I am less familiar with the things he has composed in later years.

[David B]

It was Peter Leitch's 80th birthday yesterday, 19th August! Happy birthday wishes Peter!

I was just listening to these three incredible videos of Peter Leitch, John Hicks and Ray Drummond at the legendary NYC spot Bradley's in 1996.

[Woody Sound]

I bought a CD of his back in '93 on a whim, I had never heard of him. Blew me away, awesome bopper.