Album Review: Small Things from Jackson Potter

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Album:  Small Things
Artist:  Jackson Potter
Label: Shifting Paradigm Records
Website:  jacksonpottermusic.com

Small Things, the sophomore project from guitarist-composer Jackson Potter demonstrates his growth as a guitarist, composer, and arranger since moving to New York City in 2021.  His disc features several jazz luminaries, including Alex Ridout on trumpet, Troy Roberts on tenor saxophone, Hamish Smith on bass, and Marcello Cardillo on drums.  Additionally, saxophonist Jaleel Shaw and vocalist Sophia Formella perform on the title track.

Potter's offering displays a free-style playing reminiscent of pianist Bill Evans, saxophonist Stan Getz, and guitarist Wes Montgomery.  The environment merges bop, straight-ahead jazz, and fusion into dynamic creations.  Potter is a musician's musician, showing others of his ilk the potential that the guitar offers to work as a contributing element within the jazz combo framework.

Illustrating a charismatic playing liken to Montgomery and intuitive sensibilities akin to Getz, Potter exhibits a talent for synchronicity comparable to Evans, combined with a flair for maintaining a natural repartee among his band mates, as each musician's phrasing complements the others.  The melodic conversing among the musicians has an organic ease and familiarity, as though they know what to sow into the sonic cloth.  It's quite an experience to witness.

Potter's interpretation of Jerome Kern's timeless tune "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" is warm and soothing on the ears, transporting the listener into a dreamy stratosphere.  The combo taps into an adventurous leaning through "Hey, It's Me You're Talking To," penned by Victor Lewis, creating a flurry of quivering riffs, lively vamps, rambling trysts, and bopping bass pulls, promoting a whimsical and free-spirited environment.  Potter's original work "Sophia's Waltz" is a wondrous piece, adorned in soaring horns and flowing guitar swells that sweetly caress the listener's aural senses.

Raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, Potter grew up with music around the house. He learned to play guitar at the age of 10 from his father, who was introduced to music by his mother, Joyce Paul, a country singer in Nashville.  Inspired to continue his music education, in 2016, Potter attended the University of Miami's Frost School of Music where he studied jazz guitar with John Hart.  His new release is a culmination of his lessons and experiences, merging bop, straight-ahead jazz and fusion.  Wheedling these facets into dynamic creations.

Musicians:
Alex Ridout – Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Troy Roberts – Tenor Saxophone
Jackson Potter – Guitar
Hamish Smith – Bass
Marcello Cardillo – Drums

Special Guests:
Sophia Formella – vocals on "Small Things"
Jaleel Shaw – alto saxophone on "Small Things"


Additional Links:
Label Website: https://www.shiftingparadigmrecords.com
Soundcloud link for album: https://on.soundcloud.com/s9v8nrAqYUfbLjAr7

Youtube Videos:
Album Promo Video: https://youtu.be/xK6T4gvpL4g
Hey, It’s Me You’re Talking To: https://youtu.be/XXCfN1LXXE8
Mr. M: https://youtu.be/MVU2awT8Fqk
small things (Teaser): https://youtu.be/JqfsX00JsAE
Background Noise: https://youtu.be/8CnHmj1Ll_Y
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSa182G-qr8
Everything I Love: https://youtu.be/0mHNoVFHcB4

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