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Being Here: Conversations On Creating Music
by Ian Patterson
Being Here: Conversations On Creating Music Radhika Philip 461 pages ISBN: 13:978-0-989-488006 Radio.org 2013 New York has been the incubator for much of the most dynamic music in the history of jazz. For Bombay-born anthropologist Radhika Philip, witnessing one gig in Smalls was a life-changer. Seduced by the energy of the performance, the thrilling improvisations and the musicians' joyous communication, Philip was inspired to interview some of today's greatest improvisers and composers ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: The Sirens
by Glenn Astarita
There is little doubt that saxophonist Chris Potter is one of the most important jazz artists of the modern era. Comfortable in a variety of jazz settings, the artist has contributed to several ECM Records-produced albums, yet The Sirens marks his leadership debut for the Germany-based label. Intense, passionate and a dazzling soloist who is a master at building tension and spiraling a given piece towards climactic pinnacles, this production focuses on Potter's holistic talent. With the ambient ECM Records ...
Continue ReadingEldar Djangirov: Breakthrough
by Dan Bilawsky
"Point Of View Redux"--the eight-minute-long opener on pianist Eldar Djangirov's Breakthrough--doesn't exactly say it all, but it says a hell of a lot. A firmly delivered flourish flies through the air in the opening seconds, a rollicking riff sets things in motion as titan-like technique powers the warp-speed explorations that follow, things take a bluesy turn for a spell, and Djangirov generates enough energy to power an entire city block along the way. This aptly-titled number serves as a musical ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: The Sirens
by Ian Patterson
Saxophonist Chris Potter has consistently shown a deep feeling for jazz tradition and a willingness to modernize his vocabulary at the same time. The lyricism of Lester Young, the fearlessness of Charlie Parker, the keening spiritualism of John Coltrane and the tireless creativity of Sonny Rollins all inspire him, as do funk, electric set-ups and classical music, and this openness has increasingly colored his discography with the passing years. The Sirens, Potter's debt for ECM as leader, is a return ...
Continue ReadingFebruary 2013: Chris Potter Quartet
by RJ Johnson
Chris Potter QuartetChris' Jazz CaféPhiladelphia, PAFebruary 22, 2013Although no longer considered the essential destination for working jazz groups that it once was, Philadelphia is still visited by high-level talent from New York that occasionally ventures south to perform in the city's one consistent jazz venue. Despite the current lack of mainstream interest in jazz, in Philadelphia or elsewhere, the Chris Potter Quartet performed two sets for a crowd which filled every seat, ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: The Sirens
by John Kelman
The appearance of saxophonist Chris Potter as a leader on ECM may come as a surprise to some, but a look back at the label's 44-year history makes The Sirens--his label debut and 19th as a leader since first emerging with trumpeter Red Rodney before he'd turned twenty, and releasing his own debut, Presenting Chris Potter (Criss Cross), in 1992--not just sensible, but inevitable. Potter's history with the label, starting with bassist Dave Holland's longstanding quintet and big band, from ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: The Personal Stamp
by R.J. DeLuke
Chris Potter is one of the most visible saxophonists on the scene in recent years. There are reasons for that. Not only does he have incredible chops, inner drive, intensity and the impulse to always be creative--as if that's not enough--he can fit into any musical situation and find a way to contribute.Coming through the ranks, including while he was a still a student at the Manhattan School of Music, he could be found playing in any situation. ...
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