Peter Leitch

Peter John Leitch (August 19, 1944 – December 30, 2024) was a Canadian jazz guitarist.

Life and career Leitch started playing guitar in his teens. He accompanied many different acts at nightclubs in Montreal. He recorded with Sadik Hakim in the early 1970s. During the late 1970s, he worked in Toronto with Milt Jackson, Red Norvo, and Kenny Wheeler and went on tour with Fraser MacPherson in the Soviet Union. He was also a member of the Al Grey-Jimmy Forrest quintet. In the early 1980s he moved to New York City, where he played with Gary Bartz, Jaki Byard, Ray Drummond, John Hicks, Kirk Lightsey, Bobby Watson, and Smitty Smith. He recorded with Pepper Adams, Jeri Brown, Dominique Eade, Oscar Peterson, Woody Shaw, and Pete Yellin. He released his first solo album in 1981. He has worked as a journalist, photographer, and teacher.

Discography As leader Jump Street (Pausa, 1982) Sometime in Another Life with George McFetridge (Jazz House, 1982) Exhilaration (Uptown, 1985) Red Zone (Reservoir, 1987) On a Misty Night (Criss Cross, 1987) Portraits and Dedications (Criss Cross, 1989) Mean What You Say (Concord Jazz, 1990) Trio/Quartet '91 (Concord Jazz, 1991) From Another Perspective (Concord Jazz, 1993) A Special Rapport (Reservoir, 1993) Duality with John Hicks (Reservoir, 1994) Colours & Dimensions (Reservoir, 1995) At First Sight with Heiner Franz (Jardis, 1996) Up Front (Reservoir, 1997) Blues on the Corner (Reservoir, 1999) Duo with Gary Bartz, 'The Montreal Concert' (DSM, 2001) Autobiography (Reservoir, 2004) Self Portrait (Jazz House, 2007) California Concert (Jazz House, 2013) Landscape (Jazz House, 2014)

As a member Free Trade With Neil Swainson, Renee Rosnes, Ralph Bowen and Terry Clarke Free Trade (Justin Time, 1994)

As sideman With Jaki Byard Phantasies II (Soul Note, 1991) My Mother's Eyes (M&I, 2000) – rec. 1998

With Pete Yellin Mellow Soul (Metropolitan, 1998) How Long Has This Been Going On? (Jazzed Media, 2008)

With others Gary Bartz, The Montreal Concert (DSM, 2001) Jeri Brown, Unfolding the Peacocks (Justin Time, 1992) Dominique Eade, When the Wind Was Cool (RCA, 1997) Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest, O.D. (Out 'Dere) (Greyforrest, 1980) Sadik Hakim, Sadik Hakim (Radio Canada International, 1973) Chris McNulty, Time for Love (Amosaya, 1996) Oscar Peterson, The Personal Touch (Pablo, 1980) Woody Shaw, Solid (Muse, 1987)