Biography

Azica recording artist Frank Potenza is a protégé of the legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Mr. Potenza re-located to Los Angeles in 1980. He is an active composer, arranger and performer with seven solo albums to his credit. In addition to his extensive freelance recording career, he has performed in concert with Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, George Van Eps, Mundell Lowe, John Clayton, Bud Shank, Mose Allison, Jeff Hamilton, James Moody, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Rob McConnell, Brother Jack McDuff, Jimmy Smith, Joe Sample, Conti Candoli, Harold Land, Andy Simpkins, Leroy Vinnegar, Ernie Andrews, Buddy Collette, Eddie Harris and many other jazz luminaries.

From 1996 through 1999 Mr. Potenza toured as a member of the Gene Harris Quartet, performing with the Grammy award-winning pianist at jazz festivals such as the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival, the San Jose Jazz Festival and prestigious jazz clubs such as the Blue Note in New York and Jazz Showcase in Chicago. He is a featured soloist on Alley Cats, Harris’ final recording for Concord Records.

Mr. Potezna currently tours in support of his latest release called First Takes, a duo project with pianist Shelly Berg of the USC Thornton jazz studies faculty. His last Azica release The Legacy is dedicated to the memory of the late Gene Harris. It features pianist Larry Fuller (formerly of the Ray Brown Trio), bassist Luther Hughes and drummer Paul Kreibich, both former members of the Gene Harris Quartet. Frank has recently performed at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

He is currently serving as a member of the International Association for Jazz Education’s Resource Team and performs or presents master classes regularly at their annual conferences. He is also a product endorsee for GHS Strings and James L. Mapson Guitars.

Video Interviews with Frank Potenza:
About Frank Potenza
Getting His Start in Music Education
Why Teaching Makes You a Better Musician
Revising the Studio Jazz Curriculum
Importance of Having Diverse Musical Interests
Balancing Versatility and Virtuosity
Overcoming Performance Anxiety
Choosing a Career in Music Education
Los Angeles Guitar Community
Technology and the Jazz Guitar Program
Audition Tips for Guitarists
Getting to Know your Musical Heroes
Committing to a Four-Year Music Program
On his Custom Guitars

Professional Experience

Current Professional Affiliation(s):
Recording Artist for Azica Records, Cleveland, OH
Resource Team Member, International Association for Jazz Education
Career Highlights:

• Released three critically acclaimed CDs as a leader on Azica Records
• Toured as a member of the Gene Harris Quartet, performing with the Grammy award-winning pianist at jazz festivals such as the Fujitsu Concord Jazz Festival and prestigious jazz clubs such as the Blue Note in New York and Jazz Showcase in Chicago. Featured soloist on Alley Cats, Harris’ final recording for Concord Records.
• Concert Performances with Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Wilton Felder, Red Holloway, Bob Magnusson, Charlie Ventura, Jack Sheldon, Russell Ferrante, Red Callender, Steve Allen, Larry Graham, Ronnie Laws, Linda Hopkins, Buddy Greco, Vic Damone, Chuck Mangione, Pete Christlieb, Patrice Rushen, John Pisano, Natalie Cole, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Lou Rawls and many others
• ASCAP Composer/Publisher

Honors, Awards & Competitions:
Elected to The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 93, 1999Recordings:

• First Takes, Frank Potenza/Shelly Berg Duo, Azica Records, 2005
• The Legacy, Frank Potenza Quartet, Azica Records, 2003
• In My Dreams, Frank Potenza, Azica Records, 1999
• Alley Cats, Gene Harris, Concord Records, 1999

Academic Degrees

• MA, California State University, Los Angeles, 2000
• BM, Berklee College of Music, Boston, Massachusetts, 1972

Other Academic Experience:
Studied with Guitar - Mick Goodrick and Joe Pass
Classical Guitar - Andrew Caponegro
Arranging - Phil Wilson, Herb Pomeroy and Ted Pease
Improvisation - John La Porta
Orchestration - John Bavicchi