Frank Potenza

Frank Potenza (born February 10, 1950) is an American jazz guitarist.

Early life A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Potenza started playing his sister Norma's acoustic guitar. At age 12, he was influenced by his cousin, Jimmy Gagliardi, who "played and sang in rock and roll shows and nightclubs", drove a convertible, smoked Lucky Strikes, and was "the epitome of cool". Gagliardi taught Potenza guitar parts from the R&B songs of the day, especially Duane Eddy and Bill Doggett tunes. He was exposed to jazz via his father's record collection, but by his early teens, Potenza was more interested in the electric guitar sounds of rock and roll.

Jazz educator In 1981, Potenza moved to Los Angeles. From 1981 to 1995, he was an adjunct instructor on the Commercial Music Program faculty at Long Beach City College. During this time, the Commercial Music Program was directed by George Shaw, who was instrumental in bringing in guest musicians to play with the student big band. In 2000, he completed his Master's in Music at California State University in Los Angeles. Shortly after, Potenza was promoted to full professor at USC. In 2006, he became chair of the Studio/Jazz Guitar Department at USC, stepping down in 2018.

Career Throughout the 1980s, Potenza recorded a jazz albums for TBA Records as a solo artist. Soft & Warm rose to the Top 10 in Billboard magazine's Contemporary Jazz chart, while Sand Dance made the Top 15. From 1984–1985, he toured with jazz saxophonist Ronnie Laws, younger brother of flautist Hubert Laws.

In 1996 he became a touring member of the Gene Harris Quartet, Potenza is a featured soloist on Alley Cats, Harris' final album for Concord Records. Potenza has worked with Mose Allison, Joe Diorio, Mundell Lowe, John Pisano, Joe Sample, Bud Shank, Lonnie Smith, and George Van Eps.

His album For Joe is a tribute to guitarist Joe Pass. For the recording, Potenza used the same rhythm section Pass used on his 1964 album For Django. This includes John Pisano (guitar), Jim Hughart (bass), and Colin Bailey (drums).

In 2017 he was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame.

Awards and honors Dean's Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2009 Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame, 2017

Discography As leader Sand Dance (TBA Records, 1986) Soft & Warm (TBA, 1987) When We're Alone (TBA, 1988) Express Delivery (TBA, 1989) In My Dreams (Azica, 1999) The Legacy (Azica, 2003)

As sideman Gene Harris, Alley Cats (Concord Jazz, 1999) Wilton Felder, Love Is a Rush (MCA, 1987)