Trumpeter Jim Rotondi is a solid post-bop musician with a warm tone and an improvisational approach deeply steeped in the tradition of great jazz trumpeters. While the Butte, Montana native began piano lessons with his mother at age eight, it was the trumpet that became his main instrument from age 12 on. After graduating high school in 1980, Rotondi enrolled in the highly regarded jazz studies program at North Texas State University. In 1984, he earned first place in the International Trumpet Guild's jazz trumpet competition. Post-college, Rotondi toured with various ensembles including the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and Charles Earland's quintet. Eventually settling in New York City, Rotondi established himself as a mainstay in the city's vibrant jazz club scene. In 1997, Rotondi joined forces with saxophonist Eric Alexander and drummer Joe Farnsworth to form the jazz super-group One For All with which he has recorded a large body of work. Also in 1997, he released his debut album, Introducing Jim Rotondi on the Dutch label Criss Cross. Since then he has released a steady stream of albums including Jim's Bop (1998), Excursions (2000), Destination Up (2001), New Vistas (2004), Iron Man (2006), Four of a Kind (2008), 1000 Rainbows (2010), and Hard Hittin' at the Bird's Eye (2013). In the 2000's, Rotondi began spending more time in Europe, eventually relocating to Graz, Austria where he holds a jazz professor position at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts. When not teaching, Rotondi remains an active touring a recording musician as both a solo artist and member of One For All. In 2016, he released Dark Blue on the Smoke Sessions Records. ~ Matt Collar