Finesse
Cellar, 2024
8/10
The 9th album from the trumpeter and composer Jim Rotondi, Finesse welcomes Steve Davis, Dick Oatts and Danny Grisset, plus an orchestra conducted and arranged by Jakob Helling for the involved 13 songs.
The playful “Ruth” opens the listen with the animated strings and soulful brass making for plenty of warmth, and “Dark Blue” follows and makes for a cinematic and unpredictable delivery of Big Band versus orchestral ‘finesse’.
Further along, “Falset” allows for Oatts’ soprano sax to radiate a distinct intimacy, while “For Curtis” presents rumbling keys from Grisset that match the bright horns for the album’s best.
Landing near the end, the tense “In Graz” displays Martin Fuss’ strategic alto sax in a busy but controlled climate, and “Miller Time” exits with Davis’ trombone front and center amid the cautious and reflective finish that benefits much from Mario Gonzi’s skilled drums.
A body of work that is very much rooted in the historically and musically rich hallmarks of Austria, Rotondi and company create plenty of melody and coziness that doesn’t shy away from excellent solos across this timeless jazz affair.
Travels well with: Mike LeDonne- Wonderful!; Skip Wilkins Trio- In Morava/Na Morave