Guitarist Peter Leitch is self-taught, alhough some
studies for classical guitar were a part of his early introduction
to the instrument. Born in Ottawa in 1944 but raised in Montreal
he started playing at the early age of 16. "Kenny Burrell,
Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall and Rene Thomas were my favourite four
guitarists back then", Peter remembers. Belgium's Thomas
lived in Montreal from 1956 to 1961, and came back to visit a
few times after that. "Rene was the first jazz guitarist
I ever heard" says Peter.
In Montreal he worked in local clubs and recorded
with Sadik Hakim on the CBC label. When he later moved to Toronto
he joined the Phil Nimmons band 'Nimmons and Nine plus Six', did
some television appearances with this band and with Rob McConnell's
Boss Brass and Peter Appleyard.
During the next five years Peter had a variety of
gigs that helped strengthen his ability and technique - Kenny
Wheeler, Red Norvo, Clark Terry, Pat LaBarbera, Jim Galloway,
Sam Noto and others too numerous to mention. In 1982 he felt the
urge to move to New York and continue his studies. Along with
the lessons he was able to play with other musicians - Milt Jackson,
Pepper Adams, Jaki Byard, Al Grey, Jimmy Forrest and Woody Shaw,
and finally decided to make New York his home base.
Since the mid 1980's Peter has been busy teaching,
recording for Criss Cross, Concord and Reservoir as a leader and
playing in the U.S., Europe and Canada.