Guitarist, Arranger and Composer Peter Leitch has just released the debut 2-disc recording with his New Life Orchestra. Peter a respected Jazz Guitarist who has worked with some of the top names in American Jazz including Oscar Peterson, Ron Carter, Milt Jackson, Woody Shaw, Pepper Adams, Jake Byard, Jack McDuff, Kenny Wheeler, Al Grey and John Hicks. His long and successful playing career came to a quick stop in 2012 after he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Eight years later he is still alive but unable to play his guitar. Peter's story is so inspiring and uplifting I wanted to share it with you.
Peter started his intense treatment of chemo and radiation which quickly resulted in the loss of his left arm effectively ending his playing career. As a life long musician, you can imagine how devastating the realization that he could not longer play guitar had on Peter. After a relatively short period of mental adjustment, Peter relates "It occurred to me that I was free from the tyranny the Jazz Guitar--of having to practice every day. I realized I could create music that was not limited to four fingers on six strings. I began to write." "I couldn't play anymore but I couldn't get rid of this urge to be involved in music and it seemed to me that the only way I could do it was to start writing." Peter spent two years composing, Arranging and Orchestrating the 17 pieces that are included in this 2-CD project. The results are outstanding by any musical measure. Every song on these 2-CD's has special meaning for Peter including the name of his Orchestra, The Peter Leitch New Life Orchestra. Yes, rather that l spend his life regretting his loss of ability to play the instrument the loved, Peter reinvented himself as a highly talented Composer, Arranger and Band leader.
The 14 original composition Peter wrote and arranged for this project are all stunningly beautiful. They cover a wide range of musically thoughts with ideas that are new and sometimes classically inventive while being fully accessible and enjoyable for the listener.
I have picked and attached two cuts from these CD's and a third one of Peter playing a solo on the standard "Yesterdays". for your listening pleasure. These three songs will give you a good look at Peter immense talents as a Composer, Arranger and Guitarist. The first tune is the opening track on the first CD, "Mood For Max". Peter wrote and dedicated this song to Dr. Maxim Kreditor, the oncologist who saved his life. This joyous music Jazz composition expresses Peter's feelings about his medical past, his talented doctor and his newly found musical life. The next tune is the standard written by Thelonious Monk, "Round Midnight". Its a fresh and wonderful interpretation of his great song by the outstanding 17-piece orchestra. I attached the third song, a solo by Peter Leitch in order to let you experience his talented Guitar playing, Peter plays the standard "Yesterdays".
Playlist:
DISC ONE:
1. Mood for Max
2. Portrait of Sylvia
3. Sorta, Kinda
4. Monk's Circle
5. Round Midnight
6. Penumbra
7. Brilliant Blue, Twilight
8. Fulton Street Suite
DISC TWO:
1. Exhilaration
2. Elevanses
3. Clifford Jordan
4. Ballad for Charles Davis
5. The Minister's Son
6. Spring Is Here
7. Back Story
8. Tutwiler 2001
9 The Long Walk Home
Players:
Duane Eubanks- Trumpet
Bill Mobley- Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Tim Harrison- Flute
Jed Levy- Tenor, Flute, Alto Flute
Steve Willson- Alto & Soprano Sax
Dave Pietro- Alto & Soprano Sax
Carl Maraghi- Baritone Saz, Bass Clarinet
Matt Haviland- Trombone
Max Seigel- Bass Trombone
Phil Robson- Electric Guitar
Chad Coe- Acoustic Guitar
Peter Zak- Piano
Dennis James- Arco Bass
Yoshi Waki- Bass
Joe Strasser- Drums
"Mood For Max"
"Round Midnight"
"Yesterdays"
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