Jazz Articles about Chris Potter

Chris Potter: Underground

by John Kelman
January 27, 2006

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 ...

Chris Potter: Underground

by Paul Olson
January 24, 2006

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 ...

Chris Potter Quartet: Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard

by Jeff Stockton
October 2, 2004

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 ...

A Modern Masterpiece: Chris Potter on Recording "Lift"

by Franz A. Matzner
July 28, 2004

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 ...

Chris Potter: Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard

by John Kelman
June 16, 2004

Utilizing the same core group from his two Verve releases, 2001's Gratitude and 2002's Traveling Mercies, saxophonist Chris Potter recorded a couple days worth of gigs at the legendary Village Vanguard in December of 2002, the modus operandi being to provide only the barest of sketches, leaving plenty of space for interplay and improvisation. The result, Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard , is 76 minutes worth of stretching out that defines what Potter is all about: pure visceral energy ...

Chris Potter Quartet: Lift: Live At The Village Vanguard

by Jim Santella
June 2, 2004

On fire during a live performance in New York, Chris Potter and his teammates stretch out in accordance with the jazz tradition. A lovely theme such as “Stella By Starlight,” or one of their original compositions, serves as a basis for individual expression on Lift. The saxophonist improvises with natural authority. His cohesive ensemble treats this December 2002 nightclub audience to a special evening out.

Patrons’ thoughts of holiday duties and winter worries must have been pushed ...

Mike Clark: Summertime

by Riel Lazarus
May 5, 2003

It's safe to say that drummer Mike Clark is most commonly associated with funk. Since his days as a member of Herbie Hancock's legendary Headhunters, Clark has been considered one of the foremost trapsmen of the genre. But funk is only a small part of what this veteran artist is capable of, and Summertime may finally spell the end to this unfortunate pigeonholing. As evidenced by his appearance last month at the Blue Note, Clark is every ...