Formed at the turn of the millennium, Kelly Rossum Quintet  features top local musicians including pianist  Chris Lomheim, tenor saxophonist Chris Thomson, bassist Michael O'Brien and drummer J.T. Bates. While Lomheim's sensitivity on the piano and funk on the Fender Rhodes evokes the great works 60's and 70's (Bill Evans, Keith Jarret, Herbie Hancock, etc.), J.T. Bates pushes the music into the 21st century with rhythmic explorations that vivisect the beat without killing the groove. Over it all Kelly blows sweet and true with an intense passion for the music. His 2004 release "Renovations'  was chose as the #12 in the best local CD of the year by the Minneapolis Star and Tribune and in the top 10 Cd's by City Pages. Personally, it made it into my top 3 with its' engaging, edgy sound that expands the genre without 'dumbing' it down (click here to read my review).

Kelly Rossum is a master performer of jazz trumpet, although all of his university studies have focused on classical trumpet playing. Kelly said, "Since the trumpet is such a difficult instrument to master, classical training will give you the technical ability to play anything you want. Once you thoroughly understand the instrument, stylistic choices become just that, choices. Not limitations."ť

You can also hear Kelly Rossum:

• January 13 with the Jazz Is Now! Orchestra at the Bryant Lake Bowl.
• January 20 with Nachito Herrera's Cuban All-Stars at Shattuck-St. Mary's School, Fairbault.
• January 23 with Blowzone at the Dakota 7:00.
• January 26 Kelly performs with the Pat Moriarty/ Ellen Lease Quintet at the Kitty Cat Klub.
• January 28 MacPhail Center for Music faculty jazz recital 7:30pm featuring Kelly Rossum and the other fine MacPhail Jazz teaching artists.

Visit http://www.krossum.com/