Off the Books: A Jazz Life

by Peter Leitch

Many jazz lives have unfolded as marginal existences, as jazz guitarist Peter Leitch attests in this honest memoir of a life lived in search of excellence in music and art, but also a life lived battling depression, alienation, and narcotics addiction. Leitch vividly relates trying to eke out a living in jazz clubs, nightclubs, and studios in Montreal, Toronto, and New York. He tells of growing up as an Anglophone in Montreal’s working-class and predominantly French-speaking East End refinery district, discovering jazz on CBC radio and learning to play it—outside of the academy. Peter Leitch has played with many musicians in his long career including Oscar Peterson, Jaki Byard, Renee Rosnes, Jeri Brown, and Sadik Hakim. He lived and played in Montreal during his early years, Toronto in the 1970s, and in New York since 1982, which comprises the largest section of the book, chronicling the inner workings of the jazz business.

188 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2013

Reviews

[Freddie the Know-it-all · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two Out of Three Gaynesses

This guy should stick to his camera and his guitar. When it comes to writing (which is just as gay as photography and music really) it's the same old leftist bullshit that no "artist" can resist. A bore, a predictable, paralyzing bore, in other words.

"Artists" are probably the ONLY predictable thing in the Universe.

Imagine starting off a dumbass -- enough of a dumbass to be a professional musician -- then taking dope all your life too. It's no wonder these guys start with IQs of 85, then "transition" to the 50.

But I'm NOT gonna tell you why I gave it 5 stars or why I'm gonna read it again tonight.

[Annina Luck Wildermuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found out about Peter Leitch through my favorite jazz station KCSM that I stream most of the day--he's a guitar player and I loved his playing, then discovered this autobiography. The clarity of his writing and the truths he tells are quite amazing. I also enjoyed the fact that he is Canadian, growing up in Montreal and working a lot throughout Canada and then moving to New York. Of course, if you are a jazz fan this is also interesting because he has played with and knows many of the greats. I highly recommend this book.

[Benjamin Ferrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a jazz musician in nyc, I always enjoy reading the accounts of other musicians who lived in this city. I didn’t always agree with Peter’s attitude towards things, but I agreed with a lot. It’s comforting to see even musicians at his level can deal with fears of inadequacy. I would definitely recommend it.

[Christopher Heaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific memoir by jazz guitarist Peter Leitch.