Steve Potts

Steve Potts (born January 21, 1943, in Columbus, Ohio) is an American jazz saxophonist. Playing mainly alto sax and occasionally soprano, Potts is best known for his 30-year partnership with fellow saxophonist Steve Lacy.

A cousin of tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate, Potts studied architecture in Los Angeles and took lessons from saxophonist Charles Lloyd. Afterwards he went to New York where he was student of Eric Dolphy and performed with Roy Ayers, Richard Davis, Joe Henderson, Reggie Workman, and Chico Hamilton.

In 1970 he moved to Europe to live in Paris. He performed with Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Slide Hampton, Mal Waldron, Ben Webster, Hal Singer, Christian Escoudé, Boulou Ferré, and Oliver Johnson. Around 1973 he met Steve Lacy and played in his groups for 30 years. Potts also produced film scores.