Released in 2024, Three Chord Monte is a fine introduction to NYC jazz-fusion guitarist Tony Romano. A sideman for many other artists, Tony steps out in style on Three Chord Monte. Backed up by Paul Carlon (sax), Jennifer Vincent (bass) and Rob Garcia (drums), the guitarist cuts loose on a supremely relaxing album of contemporary jazz tempered by a low key fusion element.

The tracks are uniformly excellent and the relaxed nature of the music are easy on the ears with a kind of Pat Metheny meets Les Paul style of sound. With 13 tracks that clock in at just under 70 minutes, the musical connection between the quartet borders on ESP. One look at Tony’s website it’s easy to see that he’s no newcomer to the NYC jazz scene.

RMR SPEAKS TO TONY ROMANO

How does Three Chord Monte compare to your other albums and is there an overriding theme behind the album? When did you start recording albums, how many albums have you made and tell us about your record label?

Three Chord Monte doesn't have a theme per se, but the album came about when I decided in January of 2023 to write a composition a day, and see if I could do it for the entire month. I made it 18 straight days, then had to take a break due to the fact I was not taking care of other things I needed to deal with. I started back up on January 25th, 2024 and was able to write 5 more pieces. 23 in total. 10 of those compositions made it on the record. As solo artist prior to Three Chord Monte I recorded a solo guitar album of original compositions in 2017 called Dance For One that was released on the Centaur Records label, and also a trio/solo guitar recording of standards in 2019 on TRM Records, my label for self-releases. I've recorded many albums as a co-leader and appeared on many more as a sideman. You can check out my webpage for some of them.

What's the chemistry like between the players on the Three Chord Monte album? How did you meet them and do you play live around the NYC area?

There's a ton of chemistry with the group on this record. We never played as a group before doing this record, but we all played in some configuration with each other in other groups in NYC. Everybody was very familiar with each other's playing, so when I put us all together it was as if we had been playing together for a long time. There's a lot of spontaneity and communication going on in this album, which is one of the things I love about it. The band plays live occasionally, when I actually get around to booking something. I work a lot with other groups, so doing my own bookings ends up low on my priority list most of the time, unfortunately.

What's the good word from NYC? Where do you live in New York, are you from NY originally and tell us your impressions about the current jazz scene there as we enter 2025?

NYC is an ever-changing place, same as it has always been. I grew up in Queens, moved away a few times as an adult and have been back for about 20 years, living in Riverdale in the Bronx. The music scene is ever evolving, like the city itself. Sometimes for better, sometimes not. There's an ebb and flow.  I will say 2024 in NYC for me was finally back to being as busy as pre-pandemic days. Lots of different venues having music after so many closing down or just stopping having music.