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Jim Rotondi, Wire Town, Donald Vega and Dan Moretti

By Joe Dimino | Neon Jazz
February 16, 2025
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Get ready for a thrilling ride as we launch the 893rd episode of Neon Jazz! We kick things off with Kansas City's powerhouse supergroup, Wire Town, delivering fresh, electrifying sounds captured live at the legendary Green Lady Lounge. From there, we honor the legacy of the late, great Jim Rotondi before diving into an incredible lineup of seasoned artists dropping brand-new 2025 music—featuring Russ Anixter, Thomas Martin Lopez, Dan Moretti, Elaine Dame, and Rebecca Coupe Franks. But that's not all—we've got the smooth and soulful Dave Damiani alongside his No Vacancy Orchestra, putting their spin on the classic "Rich Girl." And to top it all off, we take a time-traveling detour back to 1991 with drumming virtuoso Steve Smith, showcasing tracks from his powerhouse album Vitalive. So sit back, turn up the volume, and let's dig the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

Wire Town "In a Pile Over the Fence" Riffin' on Grand (Jazz Daddy Records) 0:00
Host talks 7:05

Jim Rotondi

trumpet
1962 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Jim Rotondi "Designated Hitter" Finesse (Cellar Live) 9:26

Russ Anixter's Hippie Big Band "Into the Mystic" What Is (Russ Anixter) 13:23

Host talks 18:37

Illyes Ferfera Quartet "Love Letters" Tawaz?n (Deluge) 19:36

Tomas Martin Lopez

congas

" data-original-title="" title="">Tomas Martin Lopez "Blue Monday" Right Here (Tom��s Mart��n L��pez) 24:06

Host talks 29:40

Donald Vega

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Vega "?Baila! Dance Like No Ones Watching" As I Travel (Tiger Turn) 30:11

Dan Moretti

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dan Moretti & Brazilia "Yes or No" Live At The Pump House Celebrating Wayne Shorter (Roots Grooves Records) 34:20

Host talks 39:55

Elaine Dame

vocals
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Elaine Dame "Tell Me Something Good" Reminiscing (Elaine Dame) 40:29

Rebecca Coupe Franks

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Rebecca Coupe Franks "Castle Rock" Landscape Suites for Trumpet (Rcf Records) 45:00

Host talks 49:02

Dave Damiani

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Damiani & The No Vacancy Orchestra Quartet "Rich Girl" Heart to Heart (Hard Knocks Records) 49:34

Host talks 52:19

Steve Smith

drums
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Smith "Jave and a Nail" Vitalive (Drum Legacy Records) 53:09

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