Chris Potter (born January 1, 1971) is an American jazz saxophonist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. 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.

Biography

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. 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." 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.

Recordings

Potter has released over twenty albums as a leader and performed as a sideman on more than 150 more. 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 Krantz or Adam 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.

Awards and honors

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. 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 Kaplan of Slate. Potter has appeared in the Down Beat Critic's and Reader's Polls and named Rising Star for Best Tenor Saxophonist in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. He was honored as Tenor Saxophonist of the Year 2013 by the Jazz Journalists Association.

Discography

As leader

As sideman

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