Eclectic band cites rock, jazz, funk stylings BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer For Andy Rothstein, the guitar is a labor of love. The guitarist and composer released his first CD, "Voodoo Tone," a compilation of eight instrumental jazz pieces that fuses rock with a touch of country and funk, in November 2006, the same year he formed his band The Andy Rothstein Quintet. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDY ROTHSTEIN The Andy Rothstein Quintet - Chris Bacas on saxophone (l-r), Steve Jankowski on trumpet, Andy Rothstein on guitar, Luther Rix on drums, and Tony Senatore on bass - play two sets at the JJ Bitting Brewing Co. on March 21. "It has been exciting venturing out as a leader with my own name," said Rothstein. "I have always played as a side man in the past." The Andy Rothstein Quintet played two sets at the JJ Bitting Brewing Co., 33 Main St., on March 21. "We have played at JJ Bitting for every two months since my CD came out," said Rothstein. "We have played aroundWoodbridge and at the Dockside Pub inMahopac, New York." The quintet includes Rothstein playing guitar, Tony Senatore playing bass, Luther Rix on drums, Steve Jankowski playing trumpet, and Chris Bacas playing saxophone. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ANDY ROTHSTEIN The Andy Rothstein Quintet - (l-r) Chris Bacas on saxophone, Steve Jankowski on trumpet, Andy Rothstein on guitar, Luther Rix on drums, and Tony Senatore on bass - pose for a picture after they play two sets at the JJ Bitting Brewing Co. on March 21. Rothstein was introduced to the guitar as a freshman at Port Richmond High School in Staten Island, N.Y. "On the first day of school, we received our schedule, and I had guitar as my elective on my schedule," said Rothstein, now 42 years old, who said the idea of playing the guitar was interesting. "It has been nonstop from there. I started to play guitar basically by accident." Rothstein took guitar lessons from Vinnie Zummo throughout his high school years. Zummo toured with Joe Jackson, an English musician and singer-songwriter. "He was a wonderful mentor and set me on the right path," he said. "He is a great friend, and he wrote and produced track number five, "Retro Fuso," on my CD. You will hear more of the rock fusion in the song." Rothstein went on to Rutgers University in New Brunswick double majoring in computer science and music. He graduated in 1987. "I never really thought of playing the guitar as a career, but as I said, it's a labor of love," he said. "But I found out that Rutgers has a great music department with the Mason Gross School of the Arts." Rothstein studied with Kevin Huebanks, anAmerican jazz guitarist and the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno since 1995; Steve Khan, a jazz guitarist, who was selected as one of the 22 All-Time Greatest Jazz Guitarists in a special issue of Japan's "Jazz LIFE" magazine; and the late Ted Dunbar, who became the first jazz professor at Rutgers University. Rothstein admired the likes of jazz guitarists PatMartino, Wes Montgomery, John Scofield, Mike Stern, and Stevie Ray Vaughn growing up. A thought of making his own CD was always on Rothstein's mind. "I'm currently working on my second CD, which will also be mostly jazz instrumental," he said. "When I put out my first CD, I didn't want the sound to be sterile, and not that sound that had an everyday vibe to it. I wanted musical chemistry and decided to ask my longtime friends, drummer Lou Petto ofMetuchen and Tony Senatore, [who has performed with the likes of Billy Hector and Mary's Magnet and has released his own solo CD, "Holyland"] to be that musical chemistry, and it worked." The CD also includes guest appearances by trumpeter Steve Jankowski, who is a current member of Blood Sweat and Tears, and Tom Timko on saxophone. Drummer and composer Luther Rix, who plays live with Rothstein, has worked as percussionist and timpanist for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and later for the Winter Consort in New York City; and Chris Bacas, who plays the saxophone live, has toured with the Glen Miller Band, the Tommy Dorsey Band and legendary drummer Buddy Rich. "We have a rotation of musicians who play live with me at the shows, so if someone can't make one show, we always have a backup," said Rothstein. The guitarist and composer said writing the music for his CD took him about two hours, but the CD process took about two years. "With CDBABY.com, you have the ability to sell your own CD," he said. "They stock it for you and manage the online transactions, but you are in charge of promoting your CD. That's when we started playing the live shows." Rothstein said he thought up the name Voodoo Tone. "The music has a bluesy type of feel and has conjured visionary," he said. "My wife,Alissa, who is a graphic designer, did the artwork for my CD." In November 2007, Rothstein was appointed coordinator of the music committee for Woodbridge Township. "The township started an arts initiative to promote the arts, theater, dance, etc., in the township, which I think is a great thing for Woodbridge," said Rothstein, who has lived in the township for 11 years. As part of the music committee, Rothstein is in charge of assembling a jazz orchestra to play at various township events. "We have a small group together, but we are looking for more musicians, whether they play the piano, trumpet, bass, anything," he said. "We have a collection of 20 pieces that have been donated by Steve Dillon of Dillon Music in Woodbridge." Anyone who is interested in participating in the jazz orchestra may e-mail Andy Rothstein at arothstein@ureach.com. For more information about the Andy Rothstein Quintet, visit www.andyrothstein. com.