CHRIS POTTER: GENERATIONS

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About this clip:

Saxophonist, composer, SFJAZZ Collective Member, and Resident Artistic Director Chris Potter performs “To Be Born” from his large scale piece “Generations” for jazz quartet and orchestra during their performance on April 21, 2023 — part of the 2022-23 Season, broadcast on Fridays Live.

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About the concert:

Chris Potter is a tour de force, among the most influential saxophonists of the past 30 years. He has played with everybody, from bebopper Red Rodney to Steely Dan. At SFJAZZ, Potter is like family. He is music director of the SFJAZZ Collective and now returns to the SFJAZZ Center for his second season as a Resident Artistic Director. Last season, he premiered his song cycle (titled Sing to Me) for a 19-piece big band that included some of the most creative improvisers in jazz: pianist Craig Taborn, guitarist Adam Rogers, bassist Reuben Rogers, drummer Eric Harland, and vocalist Gretchen Parlato. This season, Potter unveils another ambitious work: Generations, scored for chamber orchestra and a small jazz ensemble. Once again, the band features some of New York’s finest: Taborn, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Brian Blade.
Potter describes the new evening-length work as “a meditation on human connections over time, and the idea of continuity and change from generation to generation.” Over the years, Potter has distinguished himself as a composer for large ensembles. He creates beautifully detailed panels of sound that seem to float past the listener, evocatively, almost cinematically, while rhythm sections roil and Potter unleashes his titanic saxophone solos. Be prepared for more of that power and beauty when Chris Potter unveils Generations.

PERSONNEL:

Chris Potter: tenor and soprano saxophones
Craig Taborn: keyboards
Scott Colley: bass
Brian Blade: drums

David Baker: conductor
Luke Chiang: violin
Teresa Zhang: violin
Otis Harriel: violin
Mingyue Xia: violin
Kate Mayfield: violin
Adrian Wu: violin
Annemarie Schubert: violin
Jessica Folson: violin
Jennifer Redondas: violin
Mitso Floor: viola
Taylor Cooksey: viola
Alexandra Simpson: viola
Sarah Hooton: viola
Rocio Lopez Sanchez: cello
Doug Machiz: cello
Jorge Maresch: cello
Carlos Valdez: double bass
Lalita Perez Acosta: double bass
Alexei Wade: flute
Wentao Jiang: oboe
Nicholas Weathers: clarinet
Jamael Smith: bassoon
Gretchen Bonnema: french horn
Abner Wong : trumpet
Austin Talbot : tenor trombone

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