Syd Potter Tribute

Syd Potter
November 20, 1941 – October 5, 2025

This video is a tribute to honor the music of the late master musician, instrumentalist, clinician, teacher, arranger, and composer Syd Potter.

1993:
00:01 Summertime
by George Gershwin
03:52 Peace
by Horace Silver

Jazz Rollercoaster
Dennis Hastings – Vocals; Syd Potter – Trumpet/Arranger; Steve Munger – Tenor Sax; Tim Eickholt– Guitar; Rick Jarvela – Bass; Steve Bentley – Drums
Music In The Park/Dark
Sylvester Park
August 11, 1993
Olympia, WA

1998:
07:14 Airegin
by Sonny Rollins

Bob Nixon - Piano; Syd Potter - Trumpet; Steve Luceno or Bill Duris - Bass; Steve Bentley - Drums; Richard Lopez - Trombone
Jam Session
Percival Street
Summer 1998
West Olympia, WA

2001:
09:57 Terrestris
by Tom Harrell

Olympia Jazz Sextet
Syd Potter - Trumpet/Arranger; Dan Blunck - Tenor Sax; Richard Lopez - Trombone; Bob Nixon - Piano; Steve Luceno - Bass; Steve Bentley - Drums
Recording Session
January 21, 2001
Olympia, WA

11:49 Love For Sale
by Cole Porter, Arr. by Pete Myers

Olympia Jazz Initiative Big Band
Richard Lopez - Director; Blunck - Alto Sax; Mark Thome - Alto Sax; Chuck Stentz - Tenor Sax; Steve Munger - Tenor Sax; Derek Nelson - Bari Sax; Dennis Haldane - Lead Trumpet; Kevin England - Trumpet; Ben McDonald - Trumpet; Dr. Gary Haigh - Trumpet; Syd Potter - Trumpet; Norm Wallen - Lead Trombone; Chris Attwood - Trombone; Peter Klinzman - Trombone; Martin Woodruff - Bass Trombone; Bob Nixon - Piano; Ryan Taylor - Guitar; Bill Duris - Bass; Steve Bentley - Drums
The Gig Harbor Jazz Festival
February 6, 2001
Gig Harbor High School, WA

2002:
13:05 Universal Variant
by Bert Wilson

Rebirth
Bert Wilson - Sax; Nancy Curtis - Flute; Syd Potter - Trumpet/Arranger; Dan Blunck - Tenor Sax; Richard Lopez - Trombone; Craig Hoyer - Piano; Clipper Anderson - Bass; James Zitro - Drums; Photo - Kari Blunck
Live at EMP Sky Church
October 30, 2002
Seattle, WA

2006:
16:37 Stompin' at the Savoy
by Edgar Melvin Sampson

Andy Omdahl's Little Big Band
Andy Omdahl - Trumpet; Syd Potter - Trumpet; Gary Scott - Alto Sax; Steve Munger - Tenor Sax; Richard Lopez - Trombone; David Deacon-Joyner - Piano; Cary Black - Bass; Maria Wulf - Drums
Live at the Olympia Country and Golf Club
August 12, 2006
Olympia, WA

2013:
18:43 Recorda Me
by Joe Henderson

Slightly Out Of Tune Jazz Sextet
Syd Potter - Flugelhorn; Lee Mohler - Trumpet; Richard Lopez - Trombone; Tony Wilkins - Piano; Fred Griesman - Bass; Ariel Calabria - Drums
The Labor Building - Meeting Room (3rd Floor)
April 27, 2013 (Arts Walk)
Olympia, WA

21:50 Puttin' on the Ritz
by Irving Berlin

The Jessica Blinn Nonet
Jessica Blinn - Vocals; Syd Potter - Trumpet/Arranger; Richard Lopez - Trombone; Jim Pribbenow - Tenor Sax; John Croarkin - Alto sax; Tom Russell - Baritone Sax; Daven Tillinghast - Guitar; Cameron Arneson - Bass; Craig Cootsona - Drums
Live at the Royal Lounge
August 5, 2013
Olympia, WA

24:02 Photo of Chuck Stentz, Syd Potter, and Bob Nixon
Photo by Richard Lopez
Taken summer of 2000 at an OJI rehearsal at Tumwater High School
Reprise: Syd's solo on Peace

Chuck Stentz:    • Chuck Stentz Sax Solos  

Bob Nixon:    • Bob Nixon Jazz Pianist Tribute (Olympia - ...  

Note: The poor video quality at times is due to the original videos sourced from old technology.

Comment: Syd’s impact on the Northwest music scene is beyond measure. I first met him in the summer of 1998 and quickly came to appreciate the force of his presence while playing alongside him in the pit orchestra at the State Theater for Harlequin Productions’ The Assassins. His brilliance, generosity, and unwavering musicianship elevated every project he touched. Many of my most fulfilling musical experiences were made richer through Syd’s artistry—his impeccable arranging, his collaborative spirit, and his deep love for the craft. Countless Northwest jazz groups still carry his arrangements in their books, a living testament to his legacy. This video is a humble tribute to an extraordinary musician, a cherished colleague, and a truly kind soul. Thank you, Syd—you will always be remembered with gratitude and respect.

https://rlo11.wordpress.com/

This video is Fair Use: a use permitted by copyright statute Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.

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