Chris Potter (born January 1, 1971) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
Chris Potter
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Chris Potter in Vienna, April 26, 2019
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| Background information | |
| Born | (1971-01-01) January 1, 1971 (age 53) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
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| Years active | 1990–present |
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| Website | chrispottermusic |
Potter first came to prominence as a sideman with trumpeter Red Rodney (1992–1993), before extended stints with drummer Paul Motian (1994–2009), bassist Dave Holland (1999–2007), trumpeter Dave Douglas (1998–2003) and session work, while also maintaining an active solo career.[1]
Potter was born in Chicago, Illinois, but his family moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where he spent his formative years. Potter showed an early interest in a wide variety of different music and learned several instruments, including the guitar and piano. He realized after hearing Paul Desmond that the saxophone would be the vehicle that would best allow him to express himself musically.[1] He has been quoted by Jazz Times as saying that, "Music has always been a vehicle for me to investigate the things that are important about life. It's been a way of figuring out what it is I need to say. Plus, I keep learning new things about it."[2]
He took up the alto saxophone at age 10, playing his first jazz gig at 13. He developed a devoted local following while performing with Johnny Helms and Terry Rosen. After leaving Columbia upon his graduation from Dreher High School, Potter attended college in New York City, first at The New School and later at the Manhattan School of Music. In New York he began performing with Red Rodney. He is currently based in New York City.
Potter has released over twenty albums as a leader and performed as a sideman on more than 150 more.[3] Some of the artists he has played with include Pat Metheny, Marian McPartland, Patricia Barber, Kenny Werner, the Mingus Big Band, Paul Motian, Ray Brown, Jim Hall, James Moody, Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Mike Mainieri, Nguyen Le, Steve Swallow, Steely Dan, Dave Holland and Joanne Brackeen.
His 2006 album Underground, on which he recorded with an electric, "groove"-based ensemble featuring keyboardist Craig Taborn, guitarists Wayne KrantzorAdam Rogers and drummer Nate Smith, was followed by the expansive Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard with Rogers on all six of its tracks. This group have reunited with Potter multiple times throughout his career, and recorded & toured extensively.
Potter's 1998 album Vertigo was named one of the year's top ten jazz CDs by both Jazziz magazine and The New York Times. The album was inspired by a bout of Ménière's disease that caused severe dizziness and damaged his hearing in one ear.[1] He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo for his work on the Joanne Brackeen album Pink Elephant Magic. He was awarded the Jazzpar Prize in 2000. His 2004 album Lift: Live at Village Vanguard was named one of the year's ten best jazz recordings by Fred KaplanofSlate.
Potter has appeared in the Down Beat Critic's and Reader's Polls and named Rising Star for Best Tenor Saxophonist in 2004,[4] 2005, 2006[5] and 2007.[6] He was honored as Tenor Saxophonist of the Year 2013 by the Jazz Journalists Association.[7]
With David Binney
With Scott Colley
With Dave Douglas
With Fleurine
With James Francies
With Greg Gisbert
With Dave Holland
With Ryan Kisor
With Susannah McCorkle
With Pat Metheny
With Mingus Big Band
With Paul Motian
With John Patitucci
With Adam Rogers
With Renee Rosnes
With Alex Sipiagin
With Steely Dan
With Steve Swallow
With John Swana
With Joris Teepe
With others
