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Fresno Bee (California)
December 9, 2010 Thursday
Artists You Should Know: Jacinda Potikian
by Mike Osegueda / The Fresno Bee
Jacinda Potikian is a longtime musician who, at 43, is releasing her
first solo CD of original material, titled "Continental Skyline."
Potikian has roots with the local college jazz programs, and then
played in The Blue Divas and the Tower Jazz Ensemble.
A guitarist, Potikian produced and arranged the instrumental CD
herself and recruited a number of top-notch local jazz players to
help, including David Aus, Gary Newmark, Ron Catalano, Larry Honda and
others.
She's having a CD release party Dec. 12 at Audie's Olympic, 1426 N.
Van Ness Ave. We talked to her to learn more:
How did you get started in music?
My mother was a tremendous singer and pianist who had a huge record
collection encompassing many different musical genres, from classical
and opera to jazz, world music and rock. In addition, she had a large
selection of traditional Armenian music. So I was exposed to a lot of
musical styles from the womb onward.
Give us a quick rundown of what you've done in the past.
My first full band experience was with the Fresno City College jazz
band. I then transferred to California State University, Fresno, where
I played with both the Jazz Band A & B bands, as well as the Statesmen
Big Band. At that time, I was also studying with Juan Serrano, so I
was in his guitar ensemble as well. I performed with the Blue Divas
from 1994-1997, then reunited with them in 2000 and 2006.
What style of music do you play? Who are your inspirations?
Thanks to my mother's aforementioned record collection, I've developed
a deep love of all genres of music. I play mostly jazz, but love to
bathe in different waters. As for inspirations, sneak a peek at my
Facebook profile. The Library of Congress wouldn't have enough room to
list them all.
Tell us about the new CD. What's it all about?
"Continental Skyline" is a CD of all original compositions. It took
over two years to complete. The CD features myself on electric,
acoustic, and nylon-string guitars in various settings: solo, duo,
trio, quartet, and quintet. It is primarily rooted in jazz, but covers
different genres, encompassing everything from acoustic, bebop, jazz
ballad, all the way through to more contemporary fare
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
My favorites on the album tend to be the duo-trio-quartet-quintet
numbers, like the title track, "Saratoga Suite," "Blue Torch Song,"
"Get To Steppin'," "A La Mingus," etc. because of the interaction I
have with great musicians.
Where can people pick up the CD?
Right now, people can either get it directly from me
([email protected]), Sound Stage, Yoshi Now!, or Spinner's Music. I am
working on making it available at CD Baby, iTunes and Barnes & Noble.
Tell us what you've got planned for the CD release party.
The CD release party is Dec. 12 at Audie's Olympic, from 5-8 p.m. The
cover is $5. CDs will be available for purchase. In addition to
performing the material that's on the CD, I'll also be performing some
unreleased original tunes, as well as some jazz standards and classics
that have inspired me over the years.
For music and more: Search "Jacinda Potikian" on Facebook.
From: A. Papazian
December 9, 2010 Thursday
Artists You Should Know: Jacinda Potikian
by Mike Osegueda / The Fresno Bee
Jacinda Potikian is a longtime musician who, at 43, is releasing her
first solo CD of original material, titled "Continental Skyline."
Potikian has roots with the local college jazz programs, and then
played in The Blue Divas and the Tower Jazz Ensemble.
A guitarist, Potikian produced and arranged the instrumental CD
herself and recruited a number of top-notch local jazz players to
help, including David Aus, Gary Newmark, Ron Catalano, Larry Honda and
others.
She's having a CD release party Dec. 12 at Audie's Olympic, 1426 N.
Van Ness Ave. We talked to her to learn more:
How did you get started in music?
My mother was a tremendous singer and pianist who had a huge record
collection encompassing many different musical genres, from classical
and opera to jazz, world music and rock. In addition, she had a large
selection of traditional Armenian music. So I was exposed to a lot of
musical styles from the womb onward.
Give us a quick rundown of what you've done in the past.
My first full band experience was with the Fresno City College jazz
band. I then transferred to California State University, Fresno, where
I played with both the Jazz Band A & B bands, as well as the Statesmen
Big Band. At that time, I was also studying with Juan Serrano, so I
was in his guitar ensemble as well. I performed with the Blue Divas
from 1994-1997, then reunited with them in 2000 and 2006.
What style of music do you play? Who are your inspirations?
Thanks to my mother's aforementioned record collection, I've developed
a deep love of all genres of music. I play mostly jazz, but love to
bathe in different waters. As for inspirations, sneak a peek at my
Facebook profile. The Library of Congress wouldn't have enough room to
list them all.
Tell us about the new CD. What's it all about?
"Continental Skyline" is a CD of all original compositions. It took
over two years to complete. The CD features myself on electric,
acoustic, and nylon-string guitars in various settings: solo, duo,
trio, quartet, and quintet. It is primarily rooted in jazz, but covers
different genres, encompassing everything from acoustic, bebop, jazz
ballad, all the way through to more contemporary fare
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
My favorites on the album tend to be the duo-trio-quartet-quintet
numbers, like the title track, "Saratoga Suite," "Blue Torch Song,"
"Get To Steppin'," "A La Mingus," etc. because of the interaction I
have with great musicians.
Where can people pick up the CD?
Right now, people can either get it directly from me
([email protected]), Sound Stage, Yoshi Now!, or Spinner's Music. I am
working on making it available at CD Baby, iTunes and Barnes & Noble.
Tell us what you've got planned for the CD release party.
The CD release party is Dec. 12 at Audie's Olympic, from 5-8 p.m. The
cover is $5. CDs will be available for purchase. In addition to
performing the material that's on the CD, I'll also be performing some
unreleased original tunes, as well as some jazz standards and classics
that have inspired me over the years.
For music and more: Search "Jacinda Potikian" on Facebook.
From: A. Papazian