Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Jim Rotondi: Excursions
Jim Rotondi: Excursions
ByRotondi’s comrades for the date are (with the exception of master drummer Kenny Washington) all members of One For All, a cooperative ensemble which has been mining a similar vein for the better part of a decade. Without exception, trombonist Steve Davis, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, bassist Peter Washington, and Hazeltine, bring to the music their individualist takes on the vocabulary of established jazz practices.
As for Rotondi’s playing, his full, bright sound on trumpet and flugelhorn and ability to articulate his ideas in a steady, even flow, regardless of the mood or tempo, makes listening to every solo a genuine pleasure. In Kenny Washington, he’s found an ideal musical partner, whose shifting rhythms within the context of bedrock time, capacity to change with or influence the direction of a soloist, and keen sense of dynamics, is one of the record’s strengths. Another memorable aspect of the disc is Hazeltine’s comping behind all of the soloists. He consistently feeds them a devilishly clever combination of chords and single note patterns, all of which enhance their efforts. On cuts such as “Little B’s Poem” and “Excursions,” Davis and Alexander in particular seem to be challenged and stimulated by Hazeltine’s harmonic sallies.
Track Listing
Shortcake; Little B’s Poem; Excursions; What Is There To Say; Angel Eyes; Little Karin; Jim’s Waltz; Fried Pies.
Personnel
Jim Rotondi
trumpetEric Alexander
saxophone, tenorSteve Davis
tromboneDavid Hazeltine
pianoPeter Washington
bassKenny Washington
drumsAlbum information
Title: Excursions | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Criss Cross
Tags
Comments
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Support All About Jazz
