Jazz Articles about Chris Potter

like 108

Sarah Jane Cion: Moon Song

by C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2000

A New Face on Jazz. Sarah Jane Cion, the conservatory-trained (the New England Conservatory) phenomenon, was awarded First Place in the 1999 Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville Florida. From there she found her way into the arms of Naxos Jazz, which has now has produced her first recording as a leader, Moon Song. She is a well-schooled musician (teaching at Tufts) without being academic. Cion has previously recorded with Marian McPartland, Mike Stern, Antonio Hart and Herve Jeanne. ...

like 166

Sarah Jane Cion: Moon Song

by C. Michael Bailey
May 1, 2000

A New Face on Jazz. Sarah Jane Cion, the conservatory-trained (the New England Conservatory) phenomenon, was awarded First Place in the 1999 Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville Florida. From there she found her way into the arms of Naxos Jazz, which has now produced her first recording as a leader, Moon Song. She is a well-schooled musician (teaching at Tufts) without being academic. Cion has previously recorded with Marian McPartland, Mike Stern, Antonio Hart and Herve Jeanne. On ...

like 265

Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

One of the great pianist’s and unsung heroes in Modern Jazz returns in incendiary and dynamic fashion. Joanne Brackeen’s Pink Elephant Magic is stunning, articulate and easily one of the premier jazz recordings of 1999.

The title track and opener, “Pink Elephant Magic” is simply an outstanding composition! The complex and seemingly difficult to perform arrangement is multifaceted, cleverly orchestrated and superior in scope and altogether artfully constructed. Brackeen, with the assistance of Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Chris Potter (soprano sax) ...

like 156

Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Jack Bowers
May 1, 1999

This new recording showcases not one but two of Joanne Brackeen’s conspicuous talents, and is uplifted not only by her exemplary keyboard work but her persuasive writing as well. Brackeen, now some 30 years removed from her early service with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, writes with clear images in mind, and the results can be observed in such charming sound portraits as “Pink Elephant Magic,” “Ghost Butter,” “Filene’s,” “Beethoven Meets the Millennium in Spain” and “Cram ’n Exam” (a note–heavy ...

like 219

JoAnne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Jim Santella
May 1, 1999

From the march tempo and hard bop power of “Pink Elephant Magic" to the drifting ballad waltz time of “Filene’s," JoAnne Brackeen’s latest album covers a lot of territory. The pianist’s seven compositions, coupled with three familiar pieces, provide variety and result in a well-rounded set. Bret Primack’s informative liner notes are available on the ‘net at http://www.arkadiarecords.com . Brackeen has a forceful keyboard style that drives her ensemble with percussive power. Her thirty-year career includes experience with Art Blakey, ...

like 172

Joanne Brackeen: Pink Elephant Magic

by Bob Margolis
April 1, 1999

A Master pianist other than a Flanagan, or a Peterson, is faced with the daunting task of recording something that separates them but allows for their brilliance to shine through. The subject of this piece has consistently been able to do this, primarily using vehicles other than the trio or solo format. Putting together perhaps her finest band since the late 1980's quartet featuring Billy Hart, Cecil McBee and Gary Bartz, pianist and composer Joanne Brackeen has just put out ...

like 316

Chris Potter: Vertigo

by Jim Santella
September 1, 1998

Chris Potter's quartet shares the spotlight both individually and in ensemble. The young tenor saxophonist (Potter turned 27 this year) turns in a dramatic set based on his own compositions. As Zan Stewart states in the liner notes, “... Potter stretches himself, his musicians and his audience, creating new and challenging music ..."

Working out recently in the ensembles of trumpeter Dave Douglas, bassist Dave Holland and The Mingus Big Band, Potter continues to explore the modern mainstream. Joe Lovano ...