Chris Potter(born January 1, 1971) is an Americanjazzsaxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Chris Potter | |
|---|---|
 Chris Potter in Vienna, April 26, 2019 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | January 1, 1971 Chicago,Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | chrispottermusic |
Potter first came to prominence as a sideman with trumpeterRed Rodney(1992–1993), before extended stints with drummerPaul Motian(1994–2009), bassistDave Holland(1999–2007), trumpeterDave Douglas(1998–2003) and session work, while also maintaining an active solo career.[1]
Biography
editPotter was born in Chicago, Illinois, but his family moved toColumbia, South Carolina,where he spent his formative years. Potter showed an early interest in a wide variety of different music and learned several instruments, including the guitar and piano. He realized after hearingPaul Desmondthat the saxophone would be the vehicle that would best allow him to express himself musically.[1]He has been quoted byJazz Timesas saying that, "Music has always been a vehicle for me to investigate the things that are important about life. It's been a way of figuring out what it is I need to say. Plus, I keep learning new things about it."[2]
He took up thealto saxophoneat age 10, playing his first jazz gig at 13. He developed a devoted local following while performing withJohnny HelmsandTerry Rosen.After leaving Columbia upon his graduation fromDreher High School,Potter attended college in New York City, first atThe New Schooland later at theManhattan School of Music.In New York he began performing withRed Rodney.He is currently based in New York City.
Recordings
editPotter has released over twenty albums as a leader and performed as a sideman on more than 150 more.[3]Some of the artists he has played with includePat Metheny,Marian McPartland,Patricia Barber,Kenny Werner,theMingus Big Band,Paul Motian,Ray Brown,Jim Hall,James Moody,Dave Douglas,Joe Lovano,Mike Mainieri,Nguyen Le,Steve Swallow,Steely Dan,Dave HollandandJoanne Brackeen.
His 2006 albumUnderground,on which he recorded with an electric, "groove" -based ensemble featuring keyboardistCraig Taborn,guitaristsWayne KrantzorAdam Rogersand drummerNate Smith,was followed by the expansiveFollow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguardwith Rogers on all six of its tracks. This group have reunited with Potter multiple times throughout his career, and recorded & toured extensively.
Awards and honors
editPotter's 1998 albumVertigowas named one of the year's top ten jazz CDs by both Jazziz magazine andThe New York Times.The album was inspired by a bout ofMénière's diseasethat caused severe dizziness and damaged his hearing in one ear.[1]He was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solofor his work on theJoanne BrackeenalbumPink Elephant Magic.He was awarded theJazzpar Prizein 2000. His 2004 albumLift: Live at Village Vanguardwas named one of the year's ten best jazz recordings byFred KaplanofSlate.
Potter has appeared in theDown BeatCritic's and Reader's Polls and named Rising Star for Best Tenor Saxophonist in 2004,[4]2005, 2006[5]and 2007.[6]He was honored asTenor Saxophonist of the Year2013 by theJazz Journalists Association.[7]
Discography
editAs leader
edit- Presenting Chris Potter(Criss Cross Jazz,1993)
- Concentric Circles(Concord Jazz,1994)
- Pure(Concord Jazz, 1995)
- Sundiata(Criss Cross Jazz, 1995)
- Moving In(Concord Jazz, 1996)
- Concord Duo Series Volume Ten(Concord Jazz, 1996) withKenny Werner
- Unspoken(Concord Jazz, 1997)
- Vertigo(Concord Jazz, 1998)
- This Will Be(Storyville,2001)
- Gratitude(Verve,2001)
- Traveling Mercies(Verve, 2002)
- Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard(Sunnyside,2004)
- Underground(Sunnyside, 2006)
- Song for Anyone(Sunnyside, 2007)
- Follow the Red Line(Sunnyside, 2007)
- Ultrahang(ArtistShare,2009)
- Transatlantic(Red Dot Music, 2011) withDR Big Band
- The Sirens(ECM,2013)
- Imaginary Cities(ECM, 2015)
- The Dreamer Is the Dream(ECM, 2017)
- Circuits(Edition,2019)
- There Is a Tide(Edition, 2020)
- Sunrise Reprise(Edition, 2021)
- Rituals(Double Moon Records, 2022) withhr-Bigband
- Got the Keys to the Kingdom: Live at the Village Vanguard(Edition, 2023)
- Eagle's Point(Edition, 2024)
As sideman
editWithDavid Binney
- South(ACT, 2001)
- Welcome to Life(Mythology, 2004)
- Bastion of Sanity(Criss Cross Jazz, 2005)
- Graylen Epicenter(Mythology, 2011)
WithScott Colley
- Portable Universe(Free Lance, 1996)
- Subliminal...(Criss Cross Jazz, 1997)
- This Place(SteepleChase, 1998)
- The Magic Line(ArtistShare, 2008)
WithDave Douglas
- Magic Triangle(Arabesque,1998)
- Leap of Faith(Arabesque, 1999)
- The Infinite(RCA,2002)
- Strange Liberation(Bluebird,2003)
WithFleurine
- San Francisco(Sunnyside, 2008)
- Brazilian Dream(Sunnyside, 2018)
WithJames Francies
- Flight(Blue Note, 2018)[8]
WithGreg Gisbert
- Harcology(Criss Cross Jazz, 1994)
- On Second Thought(Criss Cross Jazz, 1994)
WithDave Holland
- Prime Directive(ECM, 1999)
- Not for Nothin'(ECM, 2001)
- What Goes Around(ECM, 2002)
- Extended Play: Live at Birdland(ECM, 2003)
- Overtime(Dare2, 2005)
- Critical Mass(Dare2, 2006)
- The Monterey Quartet (Dave Holland, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Eric Harland)(Live at the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival, 2007)
- Pathways(Dare2, 2010)
- Aziza(Dare2, 2016)
- Good Hope(Edition, 2019)
WithRyan Kisor
- On the One(Columbia, 1993)
- Power Source(Criss Cross Jazz, 1999)
- Easy to Love: The Songs of Cole Porter(Concord Jazz, 1996)
- Let's Face the Music: The Songs of Irving Berlin(Concord Jazz, 1997)
- Someone to Watch Over Me: The Songs of George Gershwin(Concord Jazz, 1998)
WithPat Metheny
- Unity Band(Nonesuch,2012)
- KIN (←→)(Nonesuch, 2014)
- The Unity Sessions(Nonesuch, 2016)
WithMingus Big Band
- Mingus Big Band 93 - Nostalgia in Times Square(Dreyfus, 1993)
- !Que Viva Mingus!(Dreyfus, 1997)
WithPaul Motian
- Reincarnation of a Love Bird(JMT,1994)
- Flight of the Blue Jay(Winter & Winter,1997)
- Trio 2000 + One(Winter & Winter, 1998)
- Play Monk and Powell(Winter & Winter, 1999)
- On Broadway Vol. 4 or The Paradox of Continuity(Winter & Winter, 2006)
- Live at the Village Vanguard(Winter & Winter, 2006)
- Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. II(Winter & Winter, 2007)
- Live at the Village Vanguard Vol. III(Winter & Winter, 2008)
- Lost in a DreamwithJason Moran(ECM, 2010)
WithJohn Patitucci
- One More Angel(Concord Jazz, 1997)
- Now(Concord Jazz, 1998)
- Imprint(Concord Jazz, 2000)
- Line by Line(Concord Jazz, 2006)
- Live in Italy(Concord Jazz, 2022)
WithAdam Rogers
- Allegory(Criss Cross Jazz, 2003)
- Apparitions(Criss Cross Jazz, 2005)
WithRenee Rosnes
- Ancestors(Blue Note, 1996)
- As We Are Now(Blue Note, 1997)
- Life on Earth(Blue Note, 2001)
- Beloved of the Sky(Smoke Sessions, 2018)
WithAlex Sipiagin
- Images(TCB, 1998)
- Steppin' Zone(Criss Cross Jazz, 2001)
- Equilibrium(Criss Cross Jazz, 2004)
- Prints(Criss Cross Jazz, 2007)
- Destinations Unknown(Criss Cross Jazz, 2011)
- Overlooking Moments(Criss Cross Jazz, 2013)
- Moments Captured(Criss Cross Jazz, 2017)
- Horizons(Blue Room Music, 2024)
WithSteely Dan
- Alive in America(Giant, 1995)
- Two Against Nature(Giant, 2000)
- Everything Must Go(Reprise, 2003)
WithSteve Swallow
- Deconstructed(Xtra Watt, 1997)
- Always Pack Your Uniform on Top(Xtra Watt, 2000)
- Damaged in Transit(Xtra Watt, 2003)
WithJohn Swana
- The Feeling's Mutual(Criss Cross Jazz, 1993)
- Tug of War(Criss Cross Jazz, 1999)
WithJoris Teepe
- Seven Days a Week(VIA Jazz, 1998)
- For Adults Only(Postcards, 2000)
With others
- Red Rodney,Then and Now(Chesky, 1992)
- LaVerne Butler,No Looking Back(Chesky, 1993)
- Marian McPartland,In My Life(Concord Jazz, 1993)
- Peter Madsen,Snuggling Snakes(Minor Music, 1993)
- James Moody,Live at the Blue Note(Telarc, 1995)
- Randy Sandke,The Chase(Concord Jazz, 1995)
- Billy Drummond,Dubai(Criss Cross Jazz, 1996)
- Per Husby,If You Could See Me Now(Gemini 1996)
- Marlena Shaw,Dangerous(Concord Jazz, 1996)
- Ray Drummond,Vignettes(Arabesque, 1996)
- Karrin Allyson,Scott Hamilton, Concord Jazz Festival All-Stars,Fujitsu-Concord 27th Jazz Festival(Concord, 1996)
- Eden Atwood,A Night in the Life(Concord Jazz, 1996)
- Billy Hart,Oceans of Time(Arabesque, 1997)
- Ed Palermo Big Band,Plays the Music of Frank Zappa(Astor Place, 1997)
- The Seatbelts,Cowboy Bebop: Vitaminless(Victor, 1998)
- Jochen Rueckert,Introduction(Jazzline, 1998)
- Jim Hall,Jazzpar Quartet + 4(Storyville, 1998)
- Allen Farnham,Meets the RIAS Big Band(Concord, 1998)
- Joanne Brackeen,Pink Elephant Magic(Arkadia Jazz, 1999)
- Sarah Jane Cion,Moon Song(Naxos, 2000)
- Antonio Farao,Thorn(Enja, 2000)
- John Fedchock,Hit the Bricks(Reservoir, 2000)
- Nnenna Freelon,Soulcall(Concord Jazz, 2000)
- Nguyen Le,Bakida(ACT, 2000)
- Mike Gibbs,Nonsequence(Provocateur, 2001)
- Larry Carlton,Deep Into It(Warner Bros., 2001)
- Rene Marie,Vertigo(MAXJAZZ, 2001)
- Joachim Kuhn,Universal Time(EmArcy, 2002)
- Kenny Rankin,A Song for You(Verve, 2002)
- Chuck Loeb,eBop(Shanachie, 2003)
- Josh Roseman,Treats for the Nightwalker(Enja, 2003)
- Lizz Wright,Salt(Verve, 2003)
- Wayne Shorter,Alegria(Verve, 2003)
- Mike Clarkwith Billy Childs and Chris Potter,Summertime(JazzKey, 2003)
- Jim Rotondi,New Vistas(Criss Cross Jazz, 2004)
- Enrico Pieranunzi,Paul Motian, with Chris Potter,Doorways(CAM Jazz, 2004)
- Kenny Wheeler,What Now?(CAM Jazz, 2005)
- Malene Mortensen,Malene(Stunt, 2006)
- Miles Okazaki,Mirror(2006)
- Mark Sholtez,Real Street(Verve, 2006)
- Kenny Werner,Lawn Chair Society(Blue Note, 2007)
- Luciana Souza,The New Bossa Nova(Verve, 2007)
- Mark Soskin,One Hopeful Day(Kind of Blue, 2007)
- Antonio Sánchez,Migration(CAM Jazz, 2007)
- Patricia Barber,The Cole Porter Mix(Blue Note 2008)
- Walter Becker,Circus Money(Mailboat, 2008)
- Ari Hoenig,Bert's Playground(Dreyfus, 2008)
- Joe Martin,Not by Chance(Anzic, 2009)
- Tim Ries,Live at Smalls(SmallsLIVE, 2010)
- Sophie Milman,In the Moonlight(eOne, 2011)
- Adam Cruz,Milestone(Sunnyside, 2011)
- Mike Stern,All Over the Place(Heads Up,2012)
- Burak Bedikyan,Circle of Life(SteepleChase, 2013)
- Monika Borzym,My Place(Sony 2013)
- Eldar Djangirov,Breakthrough(Motema, 2013)
- John Escreet,Sabotage and Celebration(Whirlwind, 2013)
- Monika Borzym,My Place(Sony 2013)
- Dave Stryker,Messin' with Mister T(Strikezone 2015)
- Scott Tixier,Cosmic Adventure(Sunnyside, 2016)
- Ben PattersonJazz Orchestra Featuring Chris Potter,Vital Frequencies(Bonecat 2016)
- Mihaly Dreschwith Chris Potter,Zea(Budapest Music Center, 2016)
- Joey Alexander,Countdown(Motema, 2016)
- Marek Napiorkowski,WAW-NYC(Wydawnictwo Agora, 2017)
- Nate Smith,Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere(Ropeadope, 2017)
- Randy Waldman,Super Heroes(BFM, 2018)
- Jon Cowherd,Pride & Joy (Le Coq, 2022)
References
edit- ^abcHuey, Steve "Chris Potter Biography,accessed 10 November 2015
- ^"Chris Potter: Life After Being Overrated".Jazz Times.28 April 2020.Retrieved22 June2020.
- ^"Chris Potter Sideman Discography".Chris Potter Discography Project.Retrieved13 February2015.
- ^"Tom Hull: Downbeat Critics Poll: 2004".Tomhull.Retrieved13 February2015.
- ^"Tom Hull: Downbeat Critics Poll: 2006".Tomhull.Retrieved13 February2015.
- ^"Tom Hull: Downbeat Critics Poll: 2007".Tomhull.Retrieved13 February2015.
- ^"JJA Jazz Awards 2014: 2013 JJA Jazz Awards Winners".JJA Jazz Awards 2014.Archived fromthe originalon 30 November 2018.Retrieved13 February2015.
- ^"Flight (2018)".bluenote.RetrievedDecember 15,2018.
External links
edit
- Official website
- "Twelve Essential Chris Potter Performances"by Jacob Teichroew, (Jazz)