Jim Rotondi - Four Of a Kind (2007) 320kbps

A fine hard bop trumpeter, Jim Rotondi has worked with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton (for six years), Charles Earland, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and One for All. He has also recorded several albums as a leader and many as a sideman. A hard bop stylist who is a logical part of the Lee Morgan-Freddie Hubbard-Woody Shaw tradition without copying any of them, Rotondi is quite fluent in advanced straight-ahead jazz. On Four of a Kind, he performs five originals (including three of his own) and is particularly strong on the four standards including a warm ballad rendition of "It's Easy to Remember" and "Manteca."

Pianist David Hazeltine also has consistently rewarding spots on both piano and electric piano, while percussionist Jason Hann expands the group to a quintet on two numbers. While not groundbreaking, Four of a Kind is an excellent example of modern mainstream jazz of 2007 and is one of Jim Rotondi's better recordings. ~ Scott Yanow

Personnel: Jim Rotondi - Trumpet, Fluegelhorn; David Hazeltine - Piano, Fender Rhodes; John Webber - Acoustic Bass; Joe Farnsworth - Drums