Biography

Capri recording artist Frank Potenza is a protégé of the legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass. A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Potenza relocated to Los Angeles in 1980. He is an active composer, arranger and performer with eight 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 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.

Potezna currently tours in support of his latest release called First Takes, a duo project with pianist Shelly Berg. His last Capri 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 the Jazz Education Network as a member of their Ask an Expert Team. He performs or presents master classes regularly at their annual conferences. He is also a product endorsee for GHS Strings and James L. Mapson Guitars.

Professional Experience

Current Professional Affiliation(s):
Recording Artist for Capri Records Ltd., Denver Colorado
Ask An Expert Team, Jazz Education Network
Career Highlights:

Released Old, New, Borrowed & Blue on Capri Records Ltd., 2009

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, 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, 1999 The Dean’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, presented at the 2009 Thornton School of Music Honors ConvocationMusic Festivals:
Gene Harris Jazz Festival, Boise State University, Boise, Idaho Long Beach Jazz Festival, Long Beach, California Salt Lake City Jazz Festival, Salt Lake City, Utah Sarasota Jazz Festival, Sarasota, Florida Spoleto Festival USA, Charleston, South CarolinaRecordings:

Old, New, Borrowed & Blue, Frank Potenza, Capri Records Ltd., 2009

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

Compositions:
Jacaranda (ASCAP) 2008Publications:
Fingerboard Mastery: Scales and Arpeggios, Book One (with Nick Stoubis) - USC Thornton Guitar Instructional Series, Mel Bay Publications Inc. Fingerboard Mastery: Scales and Arpeggios, Book Two (with Nick Stoubis) - USC Thornton Guitar Instructional Series, Mel Bay Publications Inc. (for June 2012 release)

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