Trumpeter Jim Rotondi has been a major figure in the world of jazz for over 20 years,
both in New York and on the international scene. His sound, soul, and sense of swing have been in demand as leader and sideman all over the world.
A Montana native raised in a musical family, Jim started with the piano at eight years old and switched to trumpet at age twelve. Two years later Jim heard a recording of Clifford Brown and he was on his way. A product of the prestigious music program at the University of North Texas, Jim won first place in the International Trumpet Guild’s Jazz Trumpet Competition in 1984.
Since relocating to New York, Jim has toured and recorded with a host of jazz luminaries, including the big bands of Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Grammy-winner Toshiko Akiyoshi, Bob Mintzer, and the small groups of Charles Earland, Lou Donaldson, Curtis Fuller and Joe Chambers. Jim currently leads two of his own groups, a quintet featuring vibraphonist Joe Locke in the front line, as well as an electric group, Full House, which also features pianist David Hazeltine. He is also a founding member of the collective sextet One For All, which features a front line of saxophonist Eric Alexander and trombonist Steve Davis, as well as the aforementioned Hazeltine, drummer Joe Farnsworth and bassist John Webber in the rhythm section. This all-star group is featured in the June 2009 issue of Jazztimes magazine.
Jim’s extensive recording experience most recently includes the release of his second date as a leader for the Posi-Tone label, titled “Blues For Brother Ray”, a tribute to his former boss Ray Charles, following a host of successful releases on various labels. Having appeared on some 70 CD’s as a sideman, 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. The abovementioned One For All, whose Sharp Nine Records releases ”Too Soon To Tell” and “Optimism” received critical acclaim from Cadence and The Detroit Free Press, also has 12 CD’s to their credit.
“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
“If I had to pick one trumpeter to watch over the next decade, it would be Jim Rotondi.”- Don Berryman, www.jazzpolice.com, May,2005
“Rotondi has the passion and focus to find a place for the music in the
new millennium.”-The New Yorker, Jan. 2003
“There isn’t a better trumpet player in New York City than Jim Rotondi, for whom the word “versatile” is inadequate.” - Bob Belden
Jim currently lives and works in the New York City area, where he maintains a vigorous performing, recording, composing and teaching schedule. He has 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 Jazz Trumpet Professor at Rutgers University, and an affiliate faculty member at the State University of New York in Purchase.
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Don Tremendous wishes he sounded like you! A Taste of Champagne! A taste of Cava my friend if you get back over here soon! Great album once again. Thanks bud Dan
Ciao Jim ,Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, you are fantastic ..really. i love..Chet Baker and Michael Brecker,however' you are a myth for me;-) talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy neal
To all my jazz folks, check out this cat playing trumpet!!! (If you don't like aebersolds, oh well get used to it lol: for exposure purposes only...) Enjoy! B)
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