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Finesse

Jim Rotondi

Label: Cellar Records
Released: 2024
Views: 249

Tracks

Ruth; Dark Blue; Lady Bug; Designated Hitter; Falset; Before Curtis; For Curtis; Going To The Sun; Prelude For 14 Strings and Flute; Interlude; In Graz; Happy Feet; Miller Time.

Personnel

Album Description

”Finesse” weaves together the threads of a brilliant jazz life. I was with Jim when he played the trumpet for the first time, and discovered Clifford Brown, the launch point. As beginning horn players learn the basics of an instrument, they also start playing with other people. Ensembles. Jim has formed, played in, recorded, toured the world with, and written incredible tunes for every imaginable ensemble form throughout his mainstream bebop career, mostly in small group settings. But the big band form was his first jazz ensemble form, and as it has been for jazz in total, was never very far away in his own career…school, Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, Toshiko, later Bob Mintzer, Bill Mobley and others. When Jim first told me about his dream to record his own music with big band and strings, it made perfect sense. I could tell it would be very special to him. But it took several years. Something was missing. Then he found it – Jakob Helling. Jakob arranged Jim’s tunes, pulled together the great Notes and Tones Jazz Orchestra and strings, and directed the recording. But there was more. Jakob brought his owns threads, notable among them his influence from Monday nights on Seventh Avenue South, the Vanguard, Thad and Mel, and the amazing writers of their music. Jakob helped turn Jim’s dream into a... brilliant reality. I feel like jazz lovers will be blown away when they listen to Finesse for the first time. It will take many times through to, well…….trace the threads. Enjoy it. Thanks Jimbo, Love you. Frank Rotondi