Press
“Trompeter and his group offer quick-moving harmonic turns and unexpected quirks of melody that keep everything sounding fresh and new. More important is the consistently high level of improvisation and the undeniable sense that Trompeter and friends are reaching for a music of their own making.
Trompeter and colleagues command a richer musical vocabulary in any 16 bars than most bands do in their entire repertoire. Trompeter approaches music in a painterly way, almost every piece suggesting landscapes, places and other kinds of vivid imagery. Beyond the delicacy of his touch, as well as his ability to create a sound that genuinely blends with the ensemble, he commands a remarkable harmonic imagination. With Trompeter it's the strength of the idea, not the virtuosity of the performance."
Howard Reich, entertainment writer for the Chicago Tribune
“The true spirit of improvisation—not some commercially expedient derivative—pulses mightily through Jim Trompeter's confident, articulate lines. Less obvious, but no less significant, is the fact that this same thoughtful spirit goes into his writing. Combined, these elements add up to an important new voice.”
Tom Moon, entertainment critic for the Philadelphia Inquirer
“Trompeter is a ferocious improviser. And in hooking up with Pat Metheny's rhythm section, Chicagoans Steve Rodby (bass) and Paul Wertico (drums)—he's crafted a trio that's emblematic of jazz in the 90s: a virtuosic blend of eclectic elements, under the banner of a New Mainstream.”
Neal Tesser, music critic for the Chicago Tribune and The Reader
