Jim Rotondi at 46 Lounge
This was my second trip out to 46 Lounge on Route 46 in Totowa NJ, just a few minutes from my pad. For the second time I was able to leave the house after my two little ones were asleep, hang with an old friend I had hardly seen since we were all on the scene together in the mid 90’s, and be back home by midnight. This was better than the last time, because I actually got there in time to hear some tunes and got to play some.
I hadn’t seen Jim Rotondi yet this Millenium so I was glad to see him on Don Guinta’s roster at 46 Lounge. Don’s got a great house trio of Steve LaSpina on bass and Gordon Webster on keyboard. They were playing Strollin’ when I walked in and I listened to Jim play an inspired harmon-muted version of Someday My Prince Will Come. He’s so steeped in tradition without being derivative. I sat in on Dolphin Dance and then he played a beautiful ‘Round Midnight. Before the last tune Don made a quip on the microphone about me “Driftin’” in off of Rt 46, and Gordon played the first couple of bars of Driftin’ by Herbie Hancock, so Jim got inspired and we closed with that awesome tune.
Don’s got the right idea with this room. By making each Wednesday an event, he creates a buzz. He’s showing that there are enough knowledgeable people that you can get a good audience for a Jim Rotondi or Donny McCaslin. It’s not just the household names that bring people out. Don made a quip about being another drummer with a gig and there do seem to be a bunch of questionably talented drummers that get a gig and book a room, but Don is much more than that, and I really enjoyed playing music with him for two tunes last night. He’s reluctant to do the business, as we all are, but he’s found a way to get out there and do something that’s creating a little buzz. So good luck.
