Chris Potter

[themacintrasher]

I just saw him live on thursday at Kuumbwa in Santa Cruz. I've been to quite a few jazz concerts, and this was one of the best I've ever seen. I had listened to "Vertigo" before and liked it, but seeing him live makes all of his recordings sound so much better. His whole band was great too, especially the guitar player. I just picked up "Underground" and that album is even better. Any mroe fans?

[LampLight]

I heard him play at the January 2008 International Saxophone Symposium, where he was the guest soloist. It was indescribable and even better IMO than either of the two Chris Potter CDs that I own. What a gift that guy has!

Glad you enjoyed it.

[DanPerezSax]

Yeah, I think he's the best sax player around.

[themacintrasher]

Yeah, I think he's the best sax player around.
I think if he made an album with Donny McCaslin that would be the best thing ever. I think that they are close enough stylistically to make a perfect album.

[Flâneur]

I saw him friday night in San Francisco. I've seen some great shows in my life. This one blew me away. He is extraordinarily gifted as well as the musicians he plays with. There were fireworks to be sure, but not at the expense of the music. He is a different beast.

[Swampcabbage]

I'd like to hear them both doing Dave Douglas' material together.

[BIG B Convert]

Saw him last wed. in LA at the bakery.

Best jazz concert I've ever been to. His live sound/presence is overwhelming.

[Joe Bananas]

Chris Potter is the man!.

[Sam]

Yeah, I think he's the best sax player around.
I think if he made an album with Donny McCaslin that would be the best thing ever. I think that they are close enough stylistically to make a perfect album.
They're both on Scott Colley's truly outstanding "Portable Universe."

Mr. McCaslin is a fine player but I much prefer listening to Mr. Potter -- I hear him as much more "in the moment."

[themacintrasher]

Yeah, I think he's the best sax player around.
I think if he made an album with Donny McCaslin that would be the best thing ever. I think that they are close enough stylistically to make a perfect album.
They're both on Scott Colley's truly outstanding "Portable Universe."

Mr. McCaslin is a fine player but I much prefer listening to Mr. Potter -- I hear him as much more "in the moment."
I love them both, although I have a sentimental attachment to McCaslin, he grew up in the town where I live, and I even have met his dad. Those were my two fave jazz concerts ever.

[Kelly Bucheger]

Yeah, I think he's the best sax player around.
I think if he made an album with Donny McCaslin that would be the best thing ever. I think that they are close enough stylistically to make a perfect album.
When I listen to someone like Eric Alexander (and this is not in any way a slam on him...) I can sorta kinda almost imagine being able to play like that...

When I hear someone like Chris Potter, I think to myself "I could never do that in a million years, could never even conceive those lines, could never play that way, this guy's like a different species..."

There aren't a lot of guys other than Potter who strike me that way, but McCaslin is absolutely one of 'em. McCaslin is one of the few cats who could give Potter a run for his money, in my book, so yeah: I'd buy that album!

[CKsmallville]

Yeah, I think he's the best sax player around.
I think if he made an album with Donny McCaslin that would be the best thing ever. I think that they are close enough stylistically to make a perfect album.
When I listen to someone like Eric Alexander (and this is not in any way a slam on him...) I can sorta kinda almost imagine being able to play like that...

When I hear someone like Chris Potter, I think to myself "I could never do that in a million years, could never even conceive those lines, could never play that way, this guy's like a different species..."

There aren't a lot of guys other than Potter who strike me that way, but McCaslin is absolutely one of 'em. McCaslin is one of the few cats who could give Potter a run for his money, in my book, so yeah: I'd buy that album!

I feel that same way. Potter is just on a higher level. Alexander plays really familiar stuff and uses sort of textbook way of constructing lines. You can tell Potter is just playing what's in his head at any given time. He does have his little lines that he favors, but surrounds them with incredibly inventive stuff.

[biskil]

Thanks for hipping me to Donny McCaslin. I had never heard of him til I read this thread. How have I not heard of this guy sooner? I bought his "In Pursuit" album on iTunes and am listening to it now. I like it a lot.

Chris Potter has been heavy in my listening rotation for a long time now, especially since he put out his latest album, the one with all the strings...Song for Anyone? Wow. I wish Chris would come down to Norfolk, I would love to see him live.

[Kelly Bucheger]

Thanks for hipping me to Donny McCaslin. I had never heard of him til I read this thread. How have I not heard of this guy sooner? I bought his "In Pursuit" album on iTunes and am listening to it now. I like it a lot.
Check out "Recommended Tools," a trio album. Great writing for the trio, and the playing is terrifying...

[MyMartinTenor]

the playing is terrifying...

Terrifying is the word for Potter. I dig the guy, but he just makes me want to put down the horn, walk away, and take up golf. I go to an Antonio Hart show and walk away wanting to work on my down home "country preacher" blues (he's brilliant at that). I go check out Redman and I go hit the real book and reconsider the changes.

I listen to Potter, shake my head, put the horn away, and go plug in a Hawk disc just so I can digest a full chorus of SOMETHING I'm hearing. Crazy intense

[Swampcabbage]

Seriously, anyone on the fence of Donny's aesthetic should listen to the Dave Douglas Quintet "Live at the Jazz Standard" These are from late 2007 and you can get each set a Greenleaf music mp3. Dec 6th, 2007 2nd set has a song called Invocation. For 6 months I had to listen to his solo everyday. At least once a day.

Every note is deliberate and not one note of BS. It's gorgeous. Check it out.

[themacintrasher]

Thanks for hipping me to Donny McCaslin. I had never heard of him til I read this thread. How have I not heard of this guy sooner? I bought his "In Pursuit" album on iTunes and am listening to it now. I like it a lot.
Check out "Recommended Tools," a trio album. Great writing for the trio, and the playing is terrifying...
I love that album. When I saw him I saw the trio, I was in awe for the whole 3 hours he played!

[Dionysiac]

Saw him last wed. in LA at the bakery.

Best jazz concert I've ever been to. His live sound/presence is overwhelming.

I was there too!! Sat right in front of Nate Smith 2nd set of the first night. His playing was so intense it generated shockwaves that made my chest hurt the next day. Those were the best three night (both sets, save the first of the third night (had a gig to play)) of jazz I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Too bad about Craig Taborn though, I had kind of looked forward to seeing him live. Not that Scott Colley wasn't absolutely and might I add, earth-shatteringly awesome.

[Dionysiac]

Seriously, anyone on the fence of Donny's aesthetic should listen to the Dave Douglas Quintet "Live at the Jazz Standard" These are from late 2007 and you can get each set a Greenleaf music mp3. Dec 6th, 2007 2nd set has a song called Invocation. For 6 months I had to listen to his solo everyday. At least once a day.

Every note is deliberate and not one note of BS. It's gorgeous. Check it out.

Me too!, so good I could't stop listening 'till I transcribed it. Dave has got an absolutely riveting solo on "just say this" as well (same night). You don't think Donny can get a little repetitive though? Not that he isn't absurdly good, I just noticed he was putting some good mileage on that chromatically descending jumping sort of lick he was doing (especially noticeable on "elk's club). Who knows, maybe it was just that night...

[Dionysiac]

you NEED to get "Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard". I have never listened to any audible sound more than I have the solo on "Train". Whew . . . . be still my musical soul...

[JL]

I think this pretty much says it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k47SZtpe28

Spectacular!

[Palomorado]

Too many notes!!!

[andrewbowie]

Too many notes!!!

That's what they said about Mozart...

[CountSpatula]

Too many notes!!!

Sounds great to me. Chris Potter is very creative in is his playing...on a whole new level.

[DrWill]

I think this pretty much says it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k47SZtpe28

Spectacular!

Wow. I wonder what he does with a blues ????? Gotta be wicked.

I'd like to hear Dick Oatts tackle this tune before I get too excited though.

[melvinsax]

Hehe, I bet Waterland don't like Chris Potter either!

[JL]

Too many notes!!!

Not too many when they are all the right notes, in the right places, at the right time, with good tone, rhythm, and feeling... wish I could play that many notes so well!

[Tenortones]

the playing is terrifying...

Terrifying is the word for Potter. I dig the guy, but he just makes me want to put down the horn, walk away, and take up golf. ...

I listen to Potter, shake my head, put the horn away, and go plug in a Hawk disc just so I can digest a full chorus of SOMETHING I'm hearing. Crazy intense

Yeah I've lost some sleep over this guy-
I mean, you practice so hard...of course he has practiced a great deal-
but he was playing at 13 from what I understand-I mean really playing.

I do want to find out more about his genius.
I know a great deal of it is hearing things and understanding them
on a tremendously deep level.

[Flâneur]

you NEED to get "Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard". I have never listened to any audible sound more than I have the solo on "Train". Whew . . . . be still my musical soul...

No joke. An amazing song. If anyone wants to hear him slow down, his playing on Kenny Wheeler's album "Now What?" on the tune "The Lovers Mourn" is work of beauty.

[falis]

He also did some very nice backup playing on Jim Ferguson's first two albums. (Apparently Jim sponsored him at an early age). Every lick was perfectly tasteful and in harmony with the meaning of each song, enhancing its emotional impact (and Jim is no slouch in that regard either). Very impressive.

- Ed

[kelp55]

Just saw him last night at the Iowa City Jazz Festival, playing with both the Underground AND Dave Holland's Quintet. And just when he's scared all the sax players to death, he grabs a bass clarinet....

[Tryptykon]

Why would Chris's playing scare people - other saxophone players, I mean ?

That attitude doesn't make sense to me; rather, I think inspiration should be the
healthiest reaction .. or just simple enjoyment .

I really enjoy Chris, but he doesn't scare me, and I don't necessarily want to
play like him .

[kevvieg]

I had the privilege of hearing Chris Potter with Underground and with Dave Hollands quintet in Toronto. I had seen Potter a decade ago in Montreal but I was tired and unfocused. This time I was in the third row centre and I was blown away by every note.

To make matters even better, I also got to see Donny McCaslin for the first time in Maria Schneider's band (along with Scott Robinson, Rich Perry, Charles Pillow, and Steve Wilson - they were all spectacular).

The piece de resistance was that Holland opened for Branford Marsalis's Quartet. The sound guy put too much reverb on the horns all week but the playing was still great, even if the tome was f....messed...with. After Branford's set there was a good old jam on "Jive at Five" with both bands. Branford, Potter, and Robin Eubanks were playing their butts off and having a great time doing it. I knew a guy who's friends with Eubanks so I got to hang with the band for a bit after the show. Branford, Chris, and Robin were all really cool.

For the record, Potter is playing a Link tweaked by Adam Niewood, Branford has switched to LeBayle on tenor ("no more baffles for me, man") and he's playing a Selmer soprano piece.