Peter Leitch

by Scott YanowPeter Leitch has long been one of the top straight-ahead guitarists in jazz, a fine hard bop-based improviser with a swinging style and an appealing quiet tone. He grew up in Montreal, lived in Toronto during 1977-1981; recorded with Oscar Peterson, the Al Grey/Jimmy Forrest Quintet, and Sadik Hakim; and debuted as a leader in 1981 on the Jazz House label. Since moving to New York in 1983, Leitch has been a busy freelancer and has recorded a leader for Uptown, Criss Cross, Concord, and most frequently for Reservoir. In addition, he has been an occasional and insightful jazz journalist.