Potter, Boy Wizard

 Saw Paul Motian’s trio at the Village Vanguard. Honestly, it doesn’t even make sense to call it anyone’s trio, because all three musicians–Motian on drums, Jason Moran on piano, Chris Potter on tenor–delivered equally, and admirably, to the set. They didn’t play like a band. Not that they weren’t on the same page, just that their focus wasn’t on playing “tight” like a band; they were actually rather loose. But that added to the charm: each player seemed comfortable in his own skin first, and then complemented the rest of the band second. Motian, for instance, played the whole set like he was soloing. Moran’s “comping” was often at least as interesting as the solo. But it worked. Oh man, did it work.

And in case you don’t know yet: Chris Potter is the best saxophonist alive, hands down.