1 Bill Potts Quotes

"Bill Potts" was an American jazz pianist and arranger.

Potts played Hawaiian guitar as a child and accordion in his teens. He picked up piano in high school after hearing Count Basie. While serving in the United States Army/Army from 1949 to 1955 he transcribed charts for Army bands; he also arranged for Joe Timer and Willis Conover's ensemble, THE Orchestra. He wrote four of the songs on THE Orchestra's 1954 Brunswick Records long play/LP, and recorded some of their live shows, which occasionally featured guest appearances from Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie.

By 1956 Potts was leading a house band at Olivia Davis' Patio Lounge in Washington, D.C.. Lester Young booked an engagement there, and Potts convinced Young to record with him on two of the evenings. These recordings were later released as the Lester Young in Washington, D.C. sessions.