Rudy Rottais an Italianbluesguitaristwho lives nearVerona.\r Rotta achieved success in Italy before touring in other European countries. His reputation spread to the United States where he gained great popularity.[citation needed]His music combines a modern style with blues roots and a rocky funk soul character. Some consider him one of the best blues musicians in the world. Recently[when?]he starred at the Ultimate R & B Cruise in the Mediterranean with such artists asLuther Allison,Buckwheat Zydeco,Marcia BallandJohn Mayall.\r He was invited to the Kansas City Blues Festival where he appeared withAl Green,Taj MahalandBrian Setzer. He was selected Europe's Top Act[clarification needed]and then returned to Kansas City to the Grand Emporium.[clarification needed]In January 1997 he participated in the Ultimate R & B Cruise in the Caribbean with legendary greats such asEtta James,The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Taj Mahal, and many others.\r