Nunzio Rotondo

Nunzio Rotondo (1924–2009) was an Italian jazz trumpeter and bandleader who became a central figure in Italy’s postwar jazz scene. Born in Palestrina near Rome, he started on piano before switching to trumpet, eventually performing with legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Roy Eldridge by the 1950s. He led his own groups featuring talents such as pianist Franco D’Andrea and saxophonist Enzo Scoppa, blending bebop and cool jazz influences while mentoring younger musicians. Though he stepped back from live performances in the 1960s, Rotondo remained active in radio collaborations with artists like Gato Barbieri and Mal Waldron, later returning to touring in the 1970s and releasing his first CD in decades around 2004. His catalog spans studio albums, soundtracks, and radio recordings, including the 2014 archival release *Nunzio Rotondo (Via Asiago 10, Radio Rai)*, preserving his lyrical trumpet style and role in popularizing jazz in Italy through broadcasts and festivals.

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