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As a Leader

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Back to Renovation Reviews Kelly Rossum Renovation This is the second recording as leader for Kelly Rossum, a trumpet player and jazz educator in the Minneapolis area. It is probably impossible for any contemporary jazz trumpeter to escape completely the influence of Miles Davis, and Rossum is no exception. The ghost of Miles is especially evident in “Lead Soldiers,” a tune reminiscent of Davis’ version of Freedom Jazz Dance. Rossum and his colleagues do attempt to expand this language in other directions, however, by engaging in free improvisational exchanges. Two interesting moments occur on “Cheap Cigars,” where Rossum is Harmon-muted over an unrelenting minimalist ostinato that builds to several climaxes, and on “Hennepin Bridge,” where he is all alone, cup-muted, accompanying himself through the magic of digital delay. The two ballads, especially “Little Wing,” feature Rossum’s warm trumpet sound and are both musically satisfying. The rest of the music has a slightly annoying sameness to it. It is what one might call “head music,” appealing more to the intellect than the heart and soul. The players, although not really tentative, do sound like they are taking themselves a bit too seriously. The leader has an impressive command of his horn, although I wanted him to generate a little more heat in his improvisations, especially when he journeyed into the upper register. Those of you who savor your jazz on the fringes of the avant-garde will enjoy this CD. If this is the musical path that Kelly Rossum has chosen to tread, it will be interesting to see where it leads.” David Johnson Professor of Harmony Berklee College of Music Boston, MA Published in the January 2005 International Trumpet Guild Journal Read Next Review