Karl Potter

American percussionist, born July 16, 1950 in Teaneck (New Jersey), † Teaneck January 9 2013. He studied percussion in various genres, such as swing, bebop, jazz, latin sound, etc.

He has collaborated with Herbie Hancock, Alphonso Johnson, Charles Mingus, Dizzy Gillespie, Gato Barbieri, Isley Brothers. In Italy he has worked with Pino Daniele, James Senese, Antonello Venditti, Lucio Dalla, Lucio Battisti, Edoardo Bennato, Gigi D'Alessio, Renato Zero and with progressive rock bands such as Napoli Centrale, Banco del Mutuo Soccorso, PFM. His first 12" single was released in 1984 through a small independent label: Claudio-Casalini's Best Record, based in Rome, IT.
He furthered his studies about the interaction of musical genres from different ethnic groups, making Potter's Ethno Live Sound, and in 1992 he founded the group Potter Percussion. In 1993 he paired with renowned Italian drummer Tullio De Piscopo at Sanremo Festival, with the song Qui Gatta Ci Cova. In 1998 he released his first album Jean's Highlife, a live recording of one of his shows. He is the Brother of Robert Cotter.