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Chris Potter: Raising the Bar
by Mike Brannon
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 ...
Continue ReadingUnderground
by R. Emmet Sweeney
Chris Potter Underground Sunnyside Records 2006 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 ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: Underground
by Troy Collins
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 ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: Underground
by John Kelman
At only 35, saxophonist Chris Potter has amassed a surprisingly large discography--over a dozen records as a leader, and collaborations that include a marathon eight-year relationship with bassist Dave Holland. His technical prowess, robust tone and uncanny control are matched by a seemingly endless imagination, allowing him to build extended solos that never lose focus. And yet, despite his emergence as one of the most important saxophonists of his generation, there's always been a lingering feeling of promise yet to ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: Underground
by Paul Olson
Anyone who's been floored in the last few years by a particular live or recorded performance by Chris Potter--whether he was fronting his own group or playing, say, with Dave Holland or Dave Douglas--may raise an eyebrow at this statement, but here it comes anyway.He's gotten even better.If you weren't at the late set of Potter's recent gig at New York's 55 Bar, well, fine--while the veteran saxman seemed to effortlessly connect us mortals to the ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter Quartet: Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard
by Jeff Stockton
Just as you're about to really get into tenor saxophonist Chris Potter's funky unaccompanied solo on “7.5," the rest of the band charges in, led by Kevin Hays on an electric keyboard sounding like a ringing cell phone. It grabs your attention, and the band doesn't let go for the next fifteen minutes, with Hays soloing commandingly on piano, and Potter and the song's composer, drummer Bill Stewart, duetting in gripping, telepathic fashion. Stewart carries on with bassist Scott Colley ...
Continue ReadingA Modern Masterpiece: Chris Potter on Recording "Lift"
by Franz A. Matzner
Recorded live, Chris Potter's current release Lift reunites Potter with band mates Scott Colley, Kevin Hayes, and Bill Stewart, the same line-up who produced the 2002 release Traveling Mercies, and with whom Potter has recorded and performed with many times over the years, whether under his own leadership or as a member of the others' various trios and quartets.Fully capturing the unique power and synergy these four master musician's produce on stage, Lift is an exemplar of live ...
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