John Hicks & Peter Leitch - Duality (1994)

Peter Leitch and John Hicks joined forces for a third studio date on Reservoir, though this time out, it is just the two of them. Leitch, a lyrical player in the style of Jim Hall, is beautifully complemented by Hicks' piano technique. While standards are a part of the date (and well played, too), the originals by each of the two men and the lesser known jazz compositions they chose are the standout tracks. A friend of Hicks contributed the lovely waltz "Pas de Trois," while bassist George Mraz penned "For B.C.," a touching remembrance of the popular night club operator Bradley Cunningham, who operated Bradley's among many other clubs during his career. Leitch switches to acoustic guitar for his tasty blues "H&L." Hicks' brooding "After the Morning" is one of the pianist's most impressive works; it takes on a new dimension with the intimacy of piano and guitar without a rhythm section. Neither man has achieved the critical acclaim that he has earned, though with John Hicks' untimely passing in 2006, he may belatedly achieve wider recognition. Highly recommended.

Review by Ken Dryden