Jim began his musical studies at a very early age; piano at eight, trumpet at twelve. He graduated from Butte High School in 1980 and has a degree in Trumpet Performance from North Texas State University. While in Texas, he was awarded 1st place in the International Trumpet Guild’s jazz trumpet competition in 1984.

After college, Jim began recording and touring with the Ray Charles Orchestra, followed by a six year tenure with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra.He currently tours with his own group as well as the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Toshiko Akiyoshi with Eric Alexander and Steve Davis. He has several CDs as a leader and is featured on many other recordings as well. He is currently living and working in the New York area performing, recording, composing, and teaching.

Visit Jim at jimrotondi.com

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