Janis Potter
Jazz Violin
jpaulsonrealtor@aol.com
ext. 49042
Phillips Hall B-160
Bachelor of Music, 1996, Master of Arts, 1997, The Juilliard School
Janis Potter, one of the world's most in-demand marimba and percussion soloists, is best known for her varied repertoire and energetic style. She has over 165 recitals and 30 concerto performances to her credit, along with countless master classes at major universities in nearly every state in the U.S. She has been a guest performer at three Percussive Arts Societiesí International Conventions as well as at many "Days of Percussion," and she has had several articles published by Percussive Notes Magazine.
Ms. Potter has won awards and grants from such prestigious organizations as the Sony Corporation, The Carnegie Foundation, The Myra Hess Foundation and Glamour Magazine. She has been presented by renowned venues such as The Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, The Phillips Collection, The Library of Congress, and The Corcoran Gallery of Art. Her recordings are often aired on National Public Radio, and she has performed on several specials for PBS, including her most recent appearance with the Brass Band of Battle Creek in the ìI Saw the Lightî project.
She premiered several new pieces during her 2004/2005 season, including Niagara for Solo Percussion and Chorus by Howard Buss, The Alabados Song for Marimba and Percussion Ensemble by Paul Bissell, and a marimba duo by Daniel Adams. Other works currently being composed for Ms. Potter include Version Rhythmeeí for Solo Percussion and Chamber Orchestra by Jonathan Leshnoff, Variations for Solo Vibraphone by Christopher Deane, and City for Marimba and Congas by Lalo Davila. Janis Potter has a signature series of mallets which are produced and distributed world-wide by Innovative Percussion. She released her first solo CD entitled "Marimba Tracks" in 2000, which is now available at www.GoFishMusic.com along with several published transcriptions and arrangements. She is planning to release her second solo CD, ìVariations in Blue,î in the fall of 2004, featuring her popular transcriptions of Gershwinís Rhapsody in Blue and the Brahmsí Variations on a Theme of Haydn.
Janis served five years with "The Presidentís Own" United States Marine Band in Washington DC, where she played percussion at The White House, the U.S. Capital, and many other venues including three national concert tours. In addition she was a featured soloist with the band at the College Band Director's National Association Convention performing Thea Musgrave's Journey Through a Japanese Landscape for marimba and wind ensemble, which is now available on a live recording from Mark Records. Ms. Potter joined the faculty of George Washington University in 2002. Janis is a proud endorser of Adams marimbas, Pearl drums, and Innovative Percussion mallets. Her website is located at www.JanMarimba.com