Jazz Articles about Chris Potter

Dave Holland Quintet: Critical Mass

by Nic Jones
September 4, 2006

This particular lineup of Dave Holland's longstanding quintet had apparently been working for eighteen months prior to recording this disc, and that simple fact oozes out of every note played. There is a level of cohesion and empathy here that arguably can come only from such longstanding associations.

Holland is anything but despotic in his leadership responsibilities, and every member of the group gets a composer's credit here. The result is a diversity of approaches that makes for rewarding listening, ...

Dave Holland Quintet: Critical Mass

by John Kelman
August 23, 2006

It's been five years since the last studio record by Dave Holland's quintet. But between touring on its own and as the core of Holland's big band, which was responsible for the outstanding Overtime (Dare2, 2005), the unit shows no sign of slowing down. Critical Mass proves that when the chemistry is right, even longstanding bands can continue to improve by introducing new elements, without forgetting what made them great in the first place. The quintet has been ...

Chris Potter: Underground and Hands

by Riel Lazarus
May 29, 2006

Chris PotterUndergroundSunnyside2006 Kasper VillaumeHandsStunt2006 Acclaimed saxophonist Chris Potter has already earned two recording credits for 2006, though on remarkably different releases. The first--a Potter-led session entitled Underground--finds him in the electrifying company of guitarists Wayne Krantz and Adam Rogers, keyboardist Craig Taborn and drummer Nate Smith. The second album--Danish pianist Kasper Villaume's Hands--sees ...

Chris Potter: Underground

by AAJ Italy Staff
May 22, 2006

La prima cosa che salta all’occhio ascoltando questo ottimo Underground del saxofonista americano Chris Potter è la presenza di una sottile anomalia che rende questo lavoro utile per capire da che parte sta andando il jazz contemporaneo. Molto semplicemente si tratta di una anomalia nella strumentazione: manca infatti il basso, acustico o elettrico che sia. E la sua funzione è divisa non troppo equamente fra il chitarrista Wayne Krantz e il tastierista Craig Taborn. In realtà è soprattutto quest’ultimo, con ...

Chris Potter: Raising the Bar

by Mike Brannon
April 17, 2006

Like the ripples in a still lake, emanating in every direction across its surface, sometimes certain realizations strike you repeatedly within a short period—like becoming aware of something or someone for the first time, and then referencing it again and again from different sources as your awareness catches up to your first perception. At that point you're involved and, of course, want to know more.Such was my experience of first encountering tenor saxophonist Chris Potter's music. Having heard ...

Chris Potter: Underground

by R. Emmet Sweeney
March 17, 2006

Chris PotterUndergroundSunnyside Records2006 Consensus is always the sought-after ideal in criticism. When writers can line up behind an artist and declare his or her greatness, the health of an art form is reinforced. We need to ordain geniuses to be reassured that this love of ours is still valid, and that our scribblings, you know, mean something. Jazz hasn't had a young mobilizing figure like this for quite ...

Chris Potter: Underground

by Troy Collins
March 8, 2006

Billed as Chris Potter's funk album, Underground takes a conceptual leap of faith into uncharted waters. Classifying this as either a funk or a fusion record is shortsighted. Though a strong rhythmic undercurrent flows through the majority of the record, it offers much more.One of the most promising tenor saxophonists of his generation, Potter is joined by an all-star lineup. Ubiquitous keyboardist Craig Taborn handles double duty as Fender Rhodes soloist and the group's bass foundation. Underexposed but ...