CCNY Hosts 11th Annual CUNY Jazz Festival, May 12 – 13

Saxophonist Chris Potter will be Featured Guest Artist

The 11th annual CUNY Jazz Festival, a gathering of bands and ensemble from across the CUNY system, takes place May 12-13 in Aaron Davis Hall, Theater B, at The City College of New York. Chris Potter, hailed by “Down Beat” magazine as one of most studied saxophonists on the planet, will be the festival’s guest artist.

The festival opens 12 noon Thursday, May 12, with a performance by the CCNY Jazz faculty ensemble comprising professors John Patitucci, Dan Carillo, Scott Reeves and Mike Holober.

This year’s festival features ensembles from CCNY and four other CUNY colleges: Hunter College, Queens College, York College, and the College of Staten Island. Student groups perform from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

 Mr. Potter, will play a guest solo with the CCNY Big Band and host an open jam session 7:30 p.m Thursday. He will also perform with his own group, “Chris Potter Underground,” at the Gala Concert to close the festival, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 13.

“Too have a guest artist of Chris Potter’s stature at the CUNY Jazz Festival is phenomenal,” said Mike Holober, CCNY associate professor of music and festival director. “The festival is such a wonderful opportunity for students from across the University not only to listen to and learn from their peers but also hear and jam with a great artist like Chris.”

The festival is presented by The Simon H. Rifkind Center for the Humanities and the Arts at City College and the City College music department in cooperation with Jazz at Lincoln Center and Aaron Davis Hall. Admission to all events is free. 


About Chris Potter

Chris Potter is a world-class soloist, accomplished composer and formidable bandleader. The Chicago native is a Grammy Award nominee for his solo work, and is also featured prominently on Steely Dan’s Grammy-winning album “Two Against Nature” (2000).

The youngest musician ever to win Denmark’s Jazzpar Prize, Mr. Potter’s impressive discography includes 15 albums as a leader, and sideman appearances on more than 100 other albums. He has performed or recorded with such jazz luminaries as: Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, John Scofield, the Mingus Big Band, Jim Hall, Paul Motian, Dave Douglas and Ray Brown. 

Mr. Potter’s most recent recording, “Ultrahang,” is the culmination of five years work with his “Underground,” the group that will be appear with him at the festival. The other band members are Adam Rogers (guitar), Craig Taborn (Fender Rhodes) and Nate Smith (drums).

MEDIA CONTACT

Jay Mwamba
p: 212.650.7580
e: jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu