About Me
Much of modern pop music is about anger and despair. Most of the rest is cotton candy intended to taste good but provides no mental, emotional or spiritual nutrition. Like many music listeners, Cleveland-based singer/songwriter Michael Rotman favors something in the middle: timeless music with good grooves and strong melodies that say something serious and are ultimately uplifting. His tunes are accessible, yet artistic. They give the listener something substantial to chew on. "I write about truth, love, perseverance, and self-confidence," says Rotman. "I wouldn't necessarily say I'm writing spiritual songs but in a way I am. I feel my songs are the truest form of myself."
For Rotman, the most direct line of communication between himself and his audience is the vocal. It's something that he places enormous emphasis on. Rotman built his music from the ground up on a foundation of rhythm. He studied drums and spent 16 years as a drummer, although he also started writing songs on the piano in his early teens. It wasn't until the late 80s that he began to write songs on guitar, informed by such classic influences as the Beatles, Prince, Bob Marley, Yes, and Elton John.
Through the early 90’s, Rotman honed his instrumental and songwriting chops playing in several original bands. In 1995 he joined popular Cleveland-based jam band Oroboros as keyboardist/percussionist contributing to the band's vocals and writing.
Soon after Rotman’s addition to the band, Oroboros began focusing more heavily on originals, performing many of Rotman's tunes, as well as recording them for the band's 1996 release, Shine. That album turned out to be the long-running band's best-selling effort ever. Shine's success led to the band’s invitation to play Thailand Jazz and Blues Fest, the Furthur Fest and the Pocono Mountain Jazz Fest, among others. Touring constantly, the band regularly played from Chicago to Nantucket to Key West. They were a huge favorite on the college circuit, on the road performing 200+ shows a year.
After leaving Oroboros, Rotman says, "I left for Nantucket to write songs for a while. I wasn't planning on forming a band. My plan was to focus on songwriting. But then I discovered a great rhythm section. We then began to perform and record as The Michael Rotman Trio.†With assistance from other top Cleveland area musicians, they recorded Rotman's debut solo disc, Windswept Dog. Its ten tunes give an overview of Rotman's eclectic original songwriting with its pop, folk, world music and jazz influences. The song, its melody and its message are always the basis of what he does. During live performances, the band enjoys stretching out and exercising their musical muscles, adding new dimensions to the songs. Also, the band is often visited on stage by one of many well-known local musicians.
In addition to playing his songs with his band and in a solo format, Rotman stretches his own musical muscles by playing with other artists. Frequently performing in the acoustifunk duo, BIG SHIP, with bassist David “Dreadlock Dave†Mcdougald, and in the Crooked River Groove All stars with Americana great Tommy Wiggins .He has recorded with many local artists as a hired gun on percussion and vocals. He also performs with his percussion ensemble Rhythmscape and does demonstrations in elementary schools. These musical endeavors help to make him a more well rounded musician, giving him new ideas and musical elements to bring back to his own songwriting.The Michael Rotman Trio has opened for:
Frankie Beverly @ Nautica Stage in Cleveland’s FlatsGeorge Clinton and P-Funk @ Nautica Stage in Cleveland’s FlatsGeorge Benson and Natalie Cole @ Nautica Stage in Cleveland’s FlatsHuey Lewis and the News @ Tower City Amphitheater in Cleveland
The Allman Brothers BandRatdog
Earth, Wind and FireChicago
Also performing original music, Michael Rotman and former band Oroboros opened up for, and shared stages with:Bruce Hornsby, Los Lobos, Warren Zevon, Members of the Greatful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Spirit, The Band, and many more. Playing Festivals such as The Further Fest, The Pocono Mountain music Festival, The Thailand Jazz and Blues Festival, and many more.The fall of 2009 brings the long awaited 2nd solo release by Michael Rotman, a live recording of ten new songs with his four piece band.
Rotman Live @ the Crooked River Groove
