Jim Rotondi: 'At the Bird's Eye'

Reprinted from http://jazzwax.com

Back in the '70s, soul-jazz albums featuring a tight trumpeter and saxophonist backed by a deep groove organist and persistent drummer were routine. Prestige probably turned out more recordings of that genre than most other labels—with organists like Don Patterson, Charles Earland, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Brother Jack McDuff and Leon Spencer Jr. The front line often featured saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and trumpterer Virgil Jones, with Idris Muhammad behind them on drums. [Pictured at top: Jim Rotondi]

On trumpeter and flugelhornist Jim Rotondi's new albumHard Hittin' at the Bird's Eye (Sharp Nine), those '70s days are back. Recorded live in Basel, Switzerland, Rotondi is joined by tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, organist Renato Chicco and drummer Bernd Reiter. Rotondi has a tart, lyrical attack that's rich with melodic, penetrating lines. Alexander complements him perfectly with a powerful, slippery tone. 

But the sound that bonds the group is Chicco's organ. Chicco [pictured] is astonishingly '70s accurate and so dexterous there's no need for a guitar or bass. He manages to fill all of the spaces with deft riffs and multiple textures. Give a listen to Amsterdam After Dark and Higher Calling. You'll hear four musicians working like roller-derby teammates—hurling each other forward with velocity for solos. Some pretty fancy skating here.

This is one of my favorite albums of the year—and doubly astonishing considering it's a live date. You'd never know an audience was in attendance. 

JazzWax tracks: You'll find Jim Rotondi's Hard Hittin' at the Bird's Eye (Sharp Nine)here.

JazzWax clip: Here'sSummit Meeting...

Summit Meeting

Used with permission by Marc Myers

Jim Rotondi....

Trumpeter Jim Rotondi began his musical studies at a very early age. His mother, a piano teacher, encouraged Jim to begin playing the piano at age eight. He took up the trumpet at age twelve.

In 1980 Jim graduated from Butte High School in Butte, Montana. He then attended North Texas State University, where he graduated with a degree in trumpet performance. While in Texas, Jim was awarded first place in the International Trumpet Guild's jazz trumpet competition for the year 1984. After college Jim began recording and touring internationally with the Ray Charles Orchestra. Immediately following this he commenced a six year tenure with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra. During this time Jim also became a member of organist Charles Earland's quintet. He currently tours with his own group, as well as with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Grammy-winner Toshiko Akiyoshi and the collective known as One For All, which features a front line of Eric Alexander and Steve Davis.

Jim's extensive recording experience most recently includes the release of his fifth date as a leader, titled "Destination Up", for the Sharp Nine label following the successful release of four CDs on the Criss Cross Jazz label. He can also be heard on several of Charles Earland's Highnote Records releases, alongside saxophonist Eric Alexander, with whom Jim made his recording debut on Eric's Delmark release "Straight Up". Other recordings include saxophonist George Coleman's Octet, featuring Harold Mabern, as well as drummer Ray Appleton's Sextet, which features Slide Hampton, Charles McPherson, and John Hicks. Jim is also a member of the aforementioned One For All, whose Sharp Nine Records releases "Too Soon To Tell" and "Optimism" received critical acclaim from Cadence, JazzTimes, and The Detroit Free Press.

"Clearly,(Rotondi) emerges as one of the best of the post-Hubbard generation"
Chris Hovan - allaboutjazz.com

"(His) solos are a near-perfect amalgam of power, finesse and logic."
David A. Orthmann - allaboutjazz.com

"One of the unsung heros of the trumpet."
Bret Primack - gmn.com

“Rotondi has the passion and focus to find a place for the music in the
new millennium.” - The New Yorker

Jim currently lives and works in the New York City area, where he maintains a vigorous performing, recording, composing and teaching schedule.He has recently given clinics at Emory University in Atlanta ,the Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Camp and served on the faculty of the Stanford Jazz Workshop in Palo Alto, California, as well as being an affiliate faculty member at the State University of New York in Purchase.

Jim Rotondi - Rick Germanson Quartet: The Night has a Thousand Eyes

Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Rick Germanson on piano, Billy Peterson on bass and Kenny Horst on drums. The Artists Quarter 4/25/09