JERSEY JAZZ (April Edition)

by Joseph Lang

Pianist CHRIS ROTTMAYER is the instructor of Jazz Piano at the University of South Florida while also pursuing a DMA in jazz performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In Florida, he had a regular trio comprising himself on piano, Charlie Silva on bass and Walt Hubbard on drums.  Between 2015 and 2018, they performed regularly on Sunday afternoons at Pilars Martini in Winter Garden.  To recapture the spirit of those gigs, they reassembled with guest tenor saxophonist Jack Wilkins for the dozen tracks found on Sundays at Pilars (Pilars Records – 001).  The program consists of mostly pop and jazz standards like “Weavers of Dreams,” “Emily,” “Nostalgia in Times Square” and “Cherokee,” plus a couple of Rottmayer originals.  They offer up nice straight-ahead jazz that is easy on the ears and consistently interesting.  Wilkins comes from the mainstream of Al, Zoot and Stan, full of swing and caressing of ballads.  Rottmayer has a wonderful touch, and is a thoughtful player who always respects the melody.  If this is typical of what was heard at Pilars Martini, those must have been special afternoons.  (www.chrisrottmayer.com)