Chris Potter interviewed by Pablo Held

I first heard Chris Potter’s music sometime in my teenage years. I immediately became a fan, trying to get all his records as a leader and as a sideman. There’s always something to learn from Chris’ playing… in a way I always feel encouraged to work on something after I’ve listened to him. Especially his records “Gratitude”, “Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard”, “Traveling Mercies”, “Unspoken” and “Presenting Chris Potter” were deep sources of inspiration for me. Moreover I loved his playing on records of Dave Holland, Paul Motian, Steve Swallow, Kenny Wheeler, Alex Sipiagin, Adam Rogers, Antonio Farao, Scott Colley, Billy Drummond, John Patitucci (oh yes - “Now” was a big one for me!) and on lots of bootlegs as well. I heard Chris live very often, but a particularly amazing concert I saw was John Scofield‘s quartet with Chris, Dennis Irwin and Bill Stewart at the Stadtgarten in Cologne. I’ll always remember this!
In 2013 I’ve had the great fortune of playing with Chris Potter on a short tour as a featured guest of my trio and later on in 2016 I went on tour through Europe with his own quartet. I had been following his music closely, so getting to play with him was not only a dream come true but also a deep learning experience for me, to say the least!
Now, I’m really happy I got to include Chris in this series of interviews. We talk about his impeccable ear-brain-instrument connection, composing, leading a band, working with Paul Motian, Dave Holland and Herbie Hancock, how to overcome periods of self-doubt and much more.
a few pointers 👉
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[@showler1132]

Man, thank you so much for this interview. It is truly a blessed moment to exist, having access to conversations like this one.

[@mitchkahle314]

"Gratitude" is always on my current playlist. Such a beautiful recording.

[@PabloHeldmusic]

one of my favorites!!!

[@jonathandeutsch3991]

wow. great interview. thank you Pablo and Chris.

[@petrikrzywacki4901]

Just found these videos a while back - such a gem. Thank you for doing this! To have these giants interviewed by someone like you, a guy with real insight and understanding, plus the wisdom to let them talk if they're so inclined... Much gratitude. Greetings from Finland! 😊

[@PabloHeldmusic]

Thank you so much Petri! Maybe you'd be interested in becoming a patron to support the series? I'd love to have you onboard! www.patreon.com/pabloheld

[@mitchkahle314]

Thanks Pablo. You are a fantastic interviewer.

[@PabloHeldmusic]

thanks so much Mitch!

[@robbyr9286]

@@PabloHeldmusic It is great how you encourage folks to tell about their development, experience with mentors & peers, & to 'investigate' their creative process!

[@JoffEngland]

Simply a real treat to eavesdrop on this conversation, thanks Pablo

[@PabloHeldmusic]

Thanks Joff!

[@VitalikBagriy]

Excellent!!!

[@RobsongsMusic]

What a great interview! Thanks, Pablo!

[@PabloHeldmusic]

Robsongs! Thanks for watching!!

[@sheskimusic]

Excellent interview. Thanks so much for this.

[@PabloHeldmusic]

thanks for checking it out!

[@richardtribe4424]

Thank you for this interview. Very insightful questions and real instinctive answers from Mr. Potter. :)

[@PabloHeldmusic]

Thanks Richard!!

[@lampcollective]

thank you so much

[@richardfisher3494]

Great interview.

[@PabloHeldmusic]

Thx Richard!

[@gurugusguru9724]

Hola Pablo...podrias subtitular la entrevista en Español ??

[@teelurizzo8542]

5:45 - 'Unspoken' is a great record. CP is a bad MF.

[@tomarikawa]

Pablo, Are you sitting in the toilet while doing the? :-)). Anyway, the content and sound is NOT from toilet ;-).

[@PabloHeldmusic]

Tommi Lehto haha. That’s my kitchen!