Nik Payton

I finally got around to reading the February issue of Downbeat, which included a very interesting interview with Chris Potter. I’d like to link it for you to read but I haven’t found an online copy yet. I’ll keep looking and post it if and when I find it.Anyway, I’ve been following Chris Potter’s music and career for a while now and he is a spectacular musician. His playing, sense of form and melody is a joy to hear. However, it was only a year ago that I had my first opportunity to hear him live. Dave Holland brought his band to the Tudo e Jazz Festival, in Ouro Preto, Brazil, in  2007. I was playing elsewhere during the festival, but we were given passes to see other bands, and I jumped at the chance to hear Dave’s quintet. While the whole band was outstanding, the highlight for me was Chris. I was blown away by his inventiveness and creativity. He played solo after solo of intricate, melodic, rhythmic lines, never running out of ideas. The energy coming off the stage was something else, damn - that band was in a groove. It was a perfect example of why jazz should be seen live where possible. You can learn an awful lot by sitting listening to records. I always tell my students to listen, listen, listen. Absorb and learn as much as you can. In fact, an old teacher of mine at college used to say to all his students moaning about the price of CD’s “Think of it like this - you’re getting a lesson with (fill in name of your favorite musician) for £15″. Well, I agree with him completely, but you can learn a hell of a lot more from seeing someone live. If you have the chance to pay a bit extra to see a truly great band, take it. What I learned watching and listening to Chris Potter that night was priceless. 

Tags: Chris Potter, Dave Holland, Downbeat, jazz, Tudo e Jazz