Jazz Articles about Chris Potter

Chris Potter: Ultrahang

by David Miller
July 6, 2009

Now unquestionably one of the better long-running groups on the jazz scene, Chris Potter's Underground puts forth its most consistent effort yet with its sophomore studio album, Ultrahang. Judging by how often the group tours, it's strange that this is only the Underground's third release. But taking into account the quality of Underground (Sunnyside, 2006), Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside, 2007), and now Ultrahang , the group can take all the time it needs between ...

Chris Potter Underground: Ultrahang

by John Kelman
June 29, 2009

With a consistent line-up since the debut of Underground (Sunnyside, 2006)--where, after alternating between guitarists Wayne Krantz and Adam Rogers, the reed man settled on Rogers as the group's full-timer for Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside, 2007)--Chris Potter has not only created his most personal and identifiable music to date, but he's clearly also found the group with which to make it. Potter and Rogers, along with mainstays Craig Taborn (Fender Rhodes) and Nate Smith ...

Chris Potter: Way Above Ground with Underground

by R.J. DeLuke
June 29, 2009

Saxophonist Chris Potter, at age 38, has long been fast-tracked to the head of his class to become regarded as one of the strongest players on the scene. It doesn't seem that long ago that he was first making waves on recordings, and then became part of the superb Dave Holland quintet, where his strengths were put on display all over the globe.Fact is, Potter has earned his stripes every step of the way. He's made his bones ...

Chris Potter Underground, Live at the Regattabar

by Michael Epstein
September 26, 2008

Chris Potter Underground Regattabar Boston, MA September 10, 2008

For the past four years, Chris Potter has been forging ahead on the music scene with a new vision. Compare his 2004 release on Sunnyside, Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard, with the 2007 Sunnyside release Follow the Red Line. Both were recorded live at the Village Vanguard and clearly show Potter's creative train of thought in action. Among many of the differences is the ...

Chris Potter: Follow The Red Line & Song For Anyone

by Martin Longley
June 7, 2008

Chris PotterFollow the Red Line: Live at the Village VanguardSunnyside2007 Chris PotterSong for AnyoneSunnyside2007 These two albums were released simultaneously, thereby making a deliberate feature of the contrast in their lineups, formats and feels. On Follow The Red Line, Potter returns to the Village Vanguard for another live disc, this one laid down in ...

Chris Potter 10: Song for Anyone

by John Kelman
September 5, 2007

While Chris Potter's other release on the same day, Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside, 2007), is a feature for his high energy, rock- and funk-inflected Underground group, Song for Anyone presents a side to the saxophonist that's not been heard before. Written for an unorthodox combination of instruments, it focuses more heavily on Potter the composer. Still, while context is everything, from the opening notes of the appealing yet knotty “The Absence" it becomes clear ...

Chris Potter Underground: Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard

by John Kelman
September 4, 2007

In a rare move, saxophonist Chris Potter has released two CDs on the same day, and on the same label--Song For Anyone, his first album for a large ensemble; and Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard, featuring the Underground band that's been touring for the past couple of years. Risky, perhaps, but Potter's significance--the clear torch-carrier for the recently departed Michael Brecker-- continues to grow, and is one of a limited number of artists who can actually ...