Frank Potenza

Educator

LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE, Long Beach, California 1981 - Present
Professional guitar and bass classes, performance workshops and ensembles, music theory, improvisation, ear training, recording techniques, midi applications and private guitar and bass studies.
RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF PERFORMING MUSIC, Johnston, Rhode Island 1977 - 1979
Theory, harmony, ensemble, improvisation, private guitar and bass.
R. I. SCHOOL OF MUSIC, Providence, Rhode Island 1972 - 1974
Theory, harmony, ear training, solfeggio, improvisation, jazz ensemble, guitar classes, history of jazz, history of rock and roll, and private guitar studies.

Performer

Frank has had concert appearances with Joe Pass, Kenny Burrell, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Watrous, Ernie Watts, Wilton Felder, Harold Land, Red Holloway, Bob Mover, Joc Sample, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Andy Simpkins, Leroy Vinnegar, Bob Magnusson, Charlie Ventura, Paul Humphrey, Jack Sheldon, Russell Ferrante, Bill Mays, John Heard, Red Callender, Al McKibbon, Hal Crook, Dick Johnson, Sherman Ferguson, Steve Allen, Buddy Collette, Larry Graham, Bobby Lyle, Linda Hopkins, Robben Ford, Dick Shawn, Suzanne Somers, Marla Gibbs, Grover Washington, Jr., Buddy Greco, Vic Damone, Ed Thigpen, Chuck Israels, and Gerald Wiggins.

In 1984-1985, Frank was guitarist with Ronnie Laws.

Frank often makes solo guitar and midi guitar concert appearances and conducts clinics nationwide.

Frank has been a Guest Artist for many organizations, including Fullerton College, the Joe Pass Memorial Tribute at Musicians' Institute in Hollywood, California,the International Association of Jazz Educators Annual Conventions in Anaheim and San Antonio, California State College at Bakersfield, the Bakersfield Jazz Festival, Whittier College, California State University at Northridge, Fullerton College, Dick Grove School of Music, and Pomona College (with Saxophonist Buddy Collette)

Author

1994 - "Guitar & Bass Essentials," Kawai Music Press

Recordings

Guitar, bass guitar, midi guitar recording artist with four solo album releases for TBA Records of Los Angeles:

1990 - "Express Delivery"
1988 - "When We're Alone"
1987 - "Soft and Warm"
1986 - "Sand Dance"

All four albums charted in Billboard Magazine's Contemporary Jazz listing; Sand Dance and Soft & Warm Were in the Top Ten

Other:

Wilton Felder and Joe Sample of the Crusaders - "Love is a Rush" (MCA Records)
Tim Heintz - "Quiet Time" (TBA Records)
George Shaw - "Encounters" and "Flight 2201" (TBA Records) ... and many others.
Sunny Wilkinson - "Sunny Wilkinson" (Positive Music Records)

Current Projects:

Recently completed a duet album with jazz vocalist Sunny Wilkinson to be released in 1995.
Planning a solo guitar album to be released in 1995.

Sound Files

Education

1972 BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC, Boston, Masachusetts
Bachelor of Music - Major in Music Education
1972 - Present Special Studies
GUITAR - Mick Goodrick; and Joe Pass
CLASSICAL GUITAR - Andrew Caponegro
ARRANGING - Phil Wilson, Herb Pomeroy and Ted Pease
IMPROVISATION - John La Porta
COMPUTER SYNTHESIS AND MIDI APPLICATIONS - Dr. George W. Shaw

More info:

http://cwis.usc.edu/dept/guitar/potenza.html