Performances—January 10, 17, and 24 (sets at 7:30 & 9:30) at Club 75 in January—AND the exhibition of His “Nocturne: The Noir City” photographs on the ground floor at the Bogardus Mansion.
Described as a “phoenix” creating “captivating music” in an upcoming review by enthusiastic listener and journalist Schaen Fox, Peter Leitch created his “New Life Orchestra” when he could no longer play the guitar after a long and storied career as a jazz guitarist. Cancer treatments had destroyed the nerve plexus in his left arm—but NOT his need to create music. The debut sets of this 14-piece orchestra performing the guitarist-turned-composer/arranger/director’s new works were more successful than he could have imagined. Sold out nights resulted in an invitation to do it all again!
Peter is gratified that the 14 members of the orchestra are committed to bringing his music to life. “I really appreciate the participation of these wonderful musicians,” he said. “Although I miss the ‘in the moment’ improvisational aspects of playing an instrument myself, not being able to do that now has allowed me to conceptualize music in a larger, more orchestral sense. At the same time, I realize the importance of integrating enough space into the music for these great soloists.”
They are:
Bill Mobley, Duane Eubanks: trumpets
Tim Harrison: flute
Steve Wilson: alto/soprano saxophone
Jed Levy: tenor saxophone/flute/alto flute
Carl Maraghi: baritone saxophone/bass clarinet
Matt Haviland: trombone
Max Seigel: bass trombone
Phil Robson: guitar
Peter Zak: piano
Yoshi Waki: bass
Joe Strasser: drums/Jason Tieman: drums (alternate)
Chad Coe: acoustic guitar
Dennis James: arco bass
Upstairs from Club 75 Peter will mount “Nocturne: the Noir City,” a group of more than 30 black-and-white photographs of New York at night Peter took and printed over several years. His recent illness also ended his photographic activities but he has a significant body of work which has exhibited all over North America, including the work at Boguardus Mansion. “Nocturne” was last displayed in a one-man show at the Living Room Gallery at St. Peter’s Church in Manhattan in 2013. It will be on display starting January 10. Reception January 11, 6-8 pm.
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