Claudio Roditi

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Integrating post-bop elements and Brazilian rhythmic concepts into his palette with ease, Claudio Roditi plays with power and lyricism. This versatility keeps the trumpeter/flugelhornist in demand as a leader, a studio musician and a sideman.

Born in 1946 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Roditi began his musical studies when he was just five years old. By the time he was twelve, he had already become a serious jazz listener. Eight years later, he was named a finalist in the International Jazz Competition in Vienna, and the following year, he moved to Mexico City where he was active on the contemporary music scene.

Moving still closer to New York, Roditi relocated to Boston in 1970 and studied at Berklee College of Music. Later he joined the Faculty of the School of Contemporary Music and rounded out his schedule with club and concert performances. In 1976, Roditi finally made the move to the jazz mecca of the world, New York City.

Upon arriving in New York, Roditi performed and/or recorded with Joe Henderson, Charlie Rouse, Herbie Mann, Tito Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, and McCoy Tyner, among others. Beginning in 1989, Roditi traveled for several years as a member of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra and then toured with The Jazz Masters, a Gillespie tribute group let by Slide Hampton. His solo work SYMPHONIC BOSSA NOVA with Ettore Stratta and the Royal Philharmonic earned Roditi a Grammy nomination in 1995. Currently a resident of New Jersey, he leads his own band and tours with several leading jazz groups.

With Thirteen critically acclaimed albums to his credit, Claudio Roditi is truly and artist on the move with his music. His last release, DOUBLE STANDARDS (Reservoir CD 148, 1997), is a celebration of standard songs written by both Brazilian and American composers. It includes timeless compositions like “Desafinado,” “A Felicidade, “So What,” and “Bye Bye Blackbird.” The one exception is the CD’s opener, “Reservoir Samba,” a Roditi original paying homage to this record label. “I wanted to have as few arrangements as possible, giving the musicians plenty of room to express themselves,” comments Roditi. “ Inspired by the festive atmosphere we had in the studio, I think we achieved our goal - an uplifting and meaningful session.”

Released in 1996, CLAUDIO RODITI-METROPOLE ORCHESTRA (Mons Records, MR 874-767) is beautiful collaboration with the unique fifty-one piece Metropole Orchestra in Holland. “This was a dream come true, times two,” says Roditi. “Most jazz musicians dream of recording with strings. I was able to record with strings plus a full -size big band all rolled into one!” The result is a lyrical album featuring a rich mix of standards as well as originals by Roditi and Metropole great, Rob Pronk. The lush and inventive arrangements by Pronk create a ground on which both Roditi and the Metropole play with expressive artistry.

Roditi’s discography also includes CLAUDIO, RIO & FRIENDS (Groovin’ High RTE-CE-1013, 1996); SAMBA-MANHATTAN STYLE (Reservoir CD 139, 1995); FREE WHEELIN’- THE MUSIC OF LEE MORGAN (Reservoir CD 136, 1995); JAZZ TURNS SAMBA (Groovin’ High RTE-CD-10122, 1994) DAYWAVES (Terra Musica (Brazil) 50 001-2, 1993); MILESTONES (Candid 9515), which was selected Best Jazz CD of 1992 by CD Review; TWO OF SWORDS (Candid 79504, 1991); SLOW FIRE (Milestone 9175, 1989); GEMINI MAN (Milestone 9158, 1988); CLAUDIO! (Uptown 27.27, 1985); and RED ON RED (Greene Street 2001, 1984). An able writer and arranger, Roditi showcases a variety of original music on nearly every release.

While some albums highlight Roditi’s abiding love of bebop, others focus on his beloved samba-the music of his roots; several succeed at a seamless blending of the two. But regardless of what he plays, there’s one thing listeners can always count on - his rich, distinctive tone. As one critic wrote: “His music is smooth and sharp and seldom less than perfect, and yet it does have warmth; and the tone that he commands from his horn is one of the most beautiful and richest we have heard.”

Claudio Roditi is a name and a sound to remember.