Tommy Potter's Hard Funk

Tommy Potter is best known as bassist in various groups led by Charlie Parker from 1947 until the early 1950s, a role that saw him sharing small ensembles with drummers such as Max Roach and Roy Haynes, pianists such as Bud Powell and Duke Jordan, trumpet greats such as Kenny Dorham and the young Miles Davis, as well as other horn players such as J.J. Johnson and Lucky Thompson. A year after Parker's death, Potter accepted an invitation from a trumpeter named Rolf Ericson (who'd played with Bird in 1950) to join an American rhythm section being recruited to perform behind Swedish horn players in public concerts. The presence of Potter in Stockholm, along with Freddie Redd (the pianist who would later make a splash with Jackie McLean) and drummer Joe Harris, created the opportunity for the trio of September 1956 sessions that reportedly constitute Potter's only recorded legacy as a group leader.This CD collects more than an hour's worth of the music these guys created. (The liner notes from 2007 indicate that the remainder will appear on a companion CD, but as of this writing I've seen no indication it was released.) As one might guess given the 1956 date as well as Potter's past musical associations, it's a hard-bop recording. The personnel varies, with Swedish horn players rotating in and out of the group along with an appearance on the last three tracks of another American, trumpeter Benny Bailey. But Potter's in good form, Redd's already showing some of the ability that would make him famous later, and the Swedish performers who were previously unknown to me keep everything lively and interesting. I'm glad I discovered this little gem.

トミー・ポッター（１９１８－１９８８）はアメリカのジャズ・ミュージシャンで、マイルス・デイビスがチャーリー・パーカーのバンドに参加していた時のベース奏者だったことで知られている。40年代後半から60年代の始めまで、サイドマン（伴奏者）として人気があり、トミー・フラナガンの「トミー・フラナガン・トリオ」や、セシル・ペインの「パターン・オブ・ジャズ」等のアルバム録音にも参加していた。だが、60年代後半から、彼の姿がジャズの舞台から消える。その頃にはフルタイムで演奏を止めて、平日に普通の仕事をしていたそうだ。その理由を、彼は次のように答えている。「それは家族と一緒の時間を持つためだよ。自分には15歳になる息子がいる。息子が大きくなっている間、彼のそばにいたいのさ。」彼のような父親を持った息子は、さぞ幸せだったろう。そして、そんなトミー・ポッターが残したアルバムは、このCDのように、今でも聴き継がれている。