Robert Conti, Guitar
Nick Brignola (RIP), Baritone & Tenor Saxophones – Jimmy McGriff (RIP), Hammond B3 Organ – Ricky Kirkland, Drums – Rupert Ziawinski, Electric Bass
Robert Conti Group
By Dan Macdonald and Jennifer Greenhill-Taylor
Robert Conti, a Ponte Vedra resident who rarely performs in Jacksonville, brought jazz guitar to a festival that has been traditionally dominated by horns and keyboards.
He set the tone with I’ll Remember April. Throughout the upbeat number, Conti shared the stage with saxophonist Nick Brignola and organist Jimmy McGriff.
Conti’s left hand was all over the guitar neck during his fluid solos.
But he doesn’t live by rapid riffs alone. Conti slowed things down with Lover Man. Even within this tempo, Conti used runs that sounded right at home.
Soft Winds was the most explosive song of the set as Conti contrasted single notes and runs.
Bassist Rupert Ziawinski’s solo included a solid bass line with a bit of scat singing.
Conti closed his set with the standard Groovin’ High. Its breakneck pace left the crowd wanting more.
During his performance, Conti said,
“We should have this party every weekend.”
