Album Review: Being from Chris Rottmayer

Album:  Being
Artist:  Chris Rottmayer
Label:  Shifting Paradigm
Website:  chrisrottmayer.com

Freelance jazz artist, composer, educator, and pianist Chris Rottmayer releases his fourth recording Being.  His recording is comprised of all original compositions, written as part of a study of the jazz pianist Mulgrew Miller, and Miller's materials with the Woody Shaw Quintet. Rottmayer calls Madison, Wisconsin his home where is a Lecturer of Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. and where his mentors were instrumental in connecting him with acoustic bassist Rufus Reid, who collaborated often with Miller.

Reid joins Rottmayer on Being along with Russ Johnson on trumpet and flugelhorn, and Matt Endres on drums.  Rottmayer travels between jam-inspired arrangements like "On The Street Where Woody Lives" and "Re-United" and elegant scores like "Pigalle" and "Pont Neuf."  The two former tracks are part of the Miller study, and the two latter tracks are selections from Rottmayer’s previously unrecorded originals written about the city of Paris.

Rottmayer's interpretation of Miller's ballad “Autumn Evening” brings out his melodic sensibilities as a pianist, while "Song of Modes," which plays off of Shaw's "Song of Songs," tweaks the tune with the exotic whirls of Johnson's trumpet.  “Ballerina Dance” is inspired by Shaw’s “Katerina Ballerina” and spotlights the soulful musings portrayed by Johnson's flugelhorn.

The blissful mood of “La Seizième,” articulated by Rottmayer's piano keys, reflects about the most affluent neighborhoods in Paris, the 16th arrondissement. The beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower from the Pont Neuf in Paris was the impetus for Rottmayer's bossa nova tune "Pont Neuf."  Finally, “Rue des Lombards” is one of the most famous streets for jazz music in Paris, home to several of the most famous French jazz clubs.  The upbeat tempo is classic jazz, refined and elevating.

Rottmayer settles comfortably as a jazz practitioner, interpretator, educator, and creator.  His recording is filled with captivating rhythms, warm melodies, and stirring arrangements.  He is an artist in his own right, holding true to jazz idioms.

Musicians:
Chris Rottmayer - piano
Russ Johnson - trumpet and flugelhorn
Matt Endres - drum set
Rufus Reid - acoustic bass