UT Jazz Orchestra Featuring Chris Potter Performs at Bates Hall, 3/6

The University of Texas Butler School of Music in partnership with Texas Performing Arts presents The UT Jazz Orchestra featuring celebrated saxophonist Chris Potter, Saturday, March 6 at Bates RecitAl Hall.

Directed by Professor Jeff Hellmer, the UT Jazz Orchestra is the Butler School of Music's premiere jazz ensemble. The Jazz Orchestra has performed with such luminaries as Michael Brecker, Phil Woods, Bob Brookmeyer, Conrad Herwig, and James Moody in recent years. The ensemble's repertoire often features compositions of its members.

A musical prodigy who grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, Chris Potter moved to New York City at age 18 to attend Manhattan School of Music.

He first played the Vanguard at age 20 as part of Red Rodney's band. "I was scared to death when I saw Dizzy Gillespie and James Moody sitting in the front row," Potter recalls of the gig. "But the vibe was so positive that soon I felt like I was playing in my own living room."

A players' player, guest artist Chris Potter recorded his first album as a leader in 1992, and has released a dozen albums since then. Always in demand as a sideman, he became well-known through his work with Dave Holland, Dave Douglas and with Steely Dan after that duo reunited in the ‘90s.

Saturday, March 6, 2010, 7:30 pm - The University of Texas Butler School of Music in partnership with Texas Performing Arts presents the UT Jazz Orchestra featuring Chris Potter at Bates RecitAl Hall (2350 Robert Dedman Dr.). A map of the campus: http://www.TexasPerformingArts.org/visit/maps_directions.

Tickets ($30 / $10 student tickets / discounted tickets available for UT faculty & staff, seniors and Military) are on sale now at authorized ticket outlets, which include the Bass Concert Hall Box Office, most H-E-B stores and all Texas Box Office outlets, online at www.TexasPerformingArts.org, or by calling (512) 477-6060 or (800) 982-BEVO.