Chris Botti

GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades; he’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others; he’s topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House.

In short, Chris Botti really needs no introduction. Yet with his Blue Note Records debut, he’s offering one anyway. Vol.1 is in many ways a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back, with a small group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards.

“I turned 60 in 2022, at a time that seemed like a restart for so many things in the world,” Botti says. “I wanted to strip away all the orchestral arrangements and special guests and focus more on my playing, the playing of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.”

While Botti could boast of the major names with whom he’s shared stages, this project allows him to share his enthusiasm for the jazz greats past and present that excite him – his conversation is peppered with references to everyone from Miles Davis to Keith Jarrett to Pat Metheny to Brad Mehldau. He points to landmark albums like Davis’ Kind of Blue, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, or Metheny’s duo outing with Charlie Haden, Beyond the Missouri Sky as models for the kind of “lifestyle” music he set out to make – music that is exquisite on its own but can also set the scene for a coffee shop or hotel lounge, instantly generating a sophisticated mood.

Of course, Botti couldn’t have found a more ideal home for this artistic rebirth. Blue Note has been a standard-bearer of jazz throughout its storied history, and the trumpeter found a receptive partner in label president Don Was. “Anyone that’s lucky enough to say they’re on Blue Note Records should be pinching themselves,” Botti says. “It’s a fantastic honor. I had great runs on Verve and Columbia, so it’s amazing to now arrive on the most famous traditional jazz record label.”

Not that Vol. 1 is a complete about-face – longtime fans will immediately recognize Botti’s glowing tone and regal melodicism, as well as his flair for investing the narrative of a song with high drama and vibrant emotion. “There’s a cinematic quality that I like to hear in music, and that I’ve found that audiences really love,” he says. “The essence of that remains on this album. It’s paramount to me that there is incredible beauty and elegance to all of the performances and the way they’re recorded.”

Botti has assembled a stellar group of collaborators to achieve that blend of beauty and elegance for the album. The album was produced by the legendary David Foster, whose staggering list of credits includes three Beatles, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton and countless others.

“David commands so much respect from the musicians that he didn’t have to say much, but he would navigate the session in a very subtle way,” says Botti of the producer, who also contributed the lush, moving piano intro to “Danny Boy” that sets the tone for the album.

Botti has enjoyed a long collaboration with pianist Taylor Eigsti, while bassist Zach Moses, keyboardist Julian Pollack, and saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown are all members of his regular touring band. Veteran drummer Vinnie Colaiuta rounds out the core band.

They’re joined by a number of excellent musicians, including Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman, whose atmospheric, cascading lines grace the Rodgers & Hart classic “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”; classical violinist Joshua Bell, who brings a striking passion to Botti’s stark rendition of “My Funny Valentine”; Uruguayan-born guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, whose years in Brazil are reflected in his graceful soloing on Henry Mancini’s “Two for the Road” and the bossa nova feel he brings to “Time On My Hands”; pianist Esteban Castro, whose delicate restraint belies his youth on “Old Folks”; and singer-songwriter John Splithoff, who contributes and performs his romantic song “Paris.”

Above all, it’s Botti’s clarion, heart wrenching trumpet that seizes he spotlight throughout Vol. 1. From the way he sings the yearning melody of “Danny Boy” to the keening, airy melancholy of his Harmon mute playing on Miles Davis’ “Blue In Green”; the hushed tenderness he brings to Coldplay’s “Fix You” or his shimmering flurries on “Someday My Prince Will Come;” Botti leaves no doubt of his mastery or his ability to speak directly from the soul of the instrument.

The title of Vol. 1 implies a new beginning, but perhaps even more promising is the fact that it also hints at a Vol. 2 – and beyond. “I’m so looking forward to that possibility,” Botti concludes.

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Chris Botti At The Paramount Theatre

by Steven Roby
October 25, 2023

Chris Botti Paramount Theatre Denver, CO October 22, 2023 Trumpet virtuoso Chris Botti had much to celebrate last Sunday at his Paramount Theater concert. He recently turned 61, and his first album in 10 years was released on Friday, Chris Botti Vol 1 (Blue Note Records). These two joyous events elevated the Grammy Award winner to present a mesmerizing evening for his receptive audience. It's been 20 years since Botti made a concert ...

Live Review

Chris Botti At The Charleston Music Hall

by Martin McFie
October 21, 2019

Chris Botti The Charleston Music Hall Charleston, SC October 17, 2019 Miles Davis played Birth of Cool on one, Dizzy Gillespie had the bell bent upward on one, and Chris Botti has one, made in 1939. We are talking about the fabled early Martin Committee Handcraft #3 large bore trumpet, designed by a committee of symphony trumpeters to be simply the finest made. Davis had Committees made for him, even when they ...

Live Review

Chris Botti at Blue Note Jazz Club

by Tyran Grillo
January 9, 2015

Chris Botti Blue Note Jazz Club 10th Annual Holiday Residency New York, NY January 2, 2015 Chris Botti has held his own as a contemporary music darling since making splashes as both a studio and live musician in the mid-1990s. Gracefully sidestepping knee-jerk criticism and bolstered by widespread praise, he has forged a smooth, individual path across a variety of genres, earning an equally diverse fan base along the way. Whether or not one ...

543

Live Review

Chris Botti & Band: Two-Week Residence at Yoshi's

by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
February 20, 2008

Chris BottiYoshi's San Francisco/Yoshi's OaklandJanuary 23 and February 2San Francisco's Fillmore District has re-emerged to claim its rightful status as the epicenter for jazz on the West Coast. This renaissance is thanks to the visionary owners of the Yoshi's enterprise in Oakland, California and now in San Francisco: Kaz Kajimura and Yoshi Akiba. A scene that was thought to be dying has been brought back to life. Trumpeter Chris Botti, who is currently touring to promote his ...

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Album Review

Chris Botti: Italia

Read "Italia" reviewed by Adela M. Brito

by Adela M. Brito
October 22, 2007

Trumpeter Chris Botti's interpretations are thoughtful and his original compositions impressive. He's smooth without actually being in the Smooth Jazz category. He improvises, and has a touch of Miles, but doesn't go on at great length. He's in a genre all his own, and that's what makes him so remarkable.

Italia is a formidable set of compositions, ranging from film music to classical opera, along with Botti's title track. It captures the romance and sweeping ...

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Interview

Chris Botti: Italia

by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
October 18, 2007

When one thinks of Italy certain things come to mind, chief among them--romance, fashion, the culinary arts and a cherished optimistic outlook on life. For years, the Italian arts have chronicled the human condition. And now, prolific trumpeter Chris Botti has personified this through his release, Italia (Columbia, 2007); employing outstanding singers Andrea Bocelli, Paula Cole and a posthumous duet with Dean Martin. The result is something truly extraordinary.Musical excellence is synonymous with both Botti and Bocelli. They ...

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Live Review

An Evening with Chris Botti: Gala and Concert

by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
October 13, 2007

Chris BottiMontalvo Arts CenterSaratoga, CaliforniaSeptember 19th, 2007On Wednesday night, concertgoers and performing arts supporters gathered in Saratoga, California at the Montalvo Arts Center--an exquisite venue and an ideal place to see an artist perform. It is quite intimate and offers a convivial atmosphere. The Chris Botti Gala and Concert is a benefit supporting the Montalvo Arts Center's Arts Education programs--an outreach to youth in low-income and underserved schools in the Santa Clara and the San ...

Recording

Chris Botti's New Album, Vol. 1

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
November 1, 2023

Chris Botti has a beautiful tone. His trumpet is clear, warm and caring, particularly on slow tunes. He has been recording since 1979, and his first album as a leader, First Wish, was recorded in 1995. Along the way, he has performed and recorded with jazz stars as well as Lady Gaga, Sting, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell, among others. His new album Vol. 1 (Blue Note) is a cozy collection of ballads. Produced by David Foster, Vol. 1 features ...
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Festival

CGI Rochester International Jazz Fest Starts In 2 Weeks! 325 Shows – 1750+ Artists – 19 Venues – Headliner Shows Free!

Source: Dalmath Associates Inc.
June 9, 2022

The CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival returns for the 19th Edition in less than two weeks! The nine-day Festival starts Friday, June 17, and continues through Saturday, June 25. It all takes place at 19 diverse open-air and indoor venues in downtown Rochester, New York. From legendary performers and familiar favorites to rising stars and new discoveries, the CGI Rochester International Jazz Festival navigates all genres of creative improvised music from all corners of the world. More than 208,000 people ...
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Festival

Four Headliners Announced For Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival's 15th Edition -- Chick Corea Plus Joey Alexander, Chris Botti, Grace Potter And Erykah Badu

Source: Dalmath Associates Inc.
February 2, 2016

Producers John Nugent and Marc Iacona announced four headliner shows today for the nine-day 15th edition Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival (XRIJF) June 24 to July 2. Singer songwriter Grace Potter will perform on opening night, Friday, June 24. Grammy winner and “First Lady of Neo Soul" Erykah Badu will perform on Saturday, June 25. Twenty-two-time Grammy-winning jazz legend, pianist and composer Chick Corea “Trilogy" Trio plus special guest Joey Alexander Trio, the 12-year-old pianist who mesmerized XRIJF audiences last ...
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Festival

Jazz this week: Chris Botti, JazzU with Stefon Harris, Don Cunningham, U City Jazz Festival, Daniel Bennett, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
June 4, 2015

This week's lineup of jazz and creative music performances in St. Louis encompasses musicians with a vast range of experience, from young teenage players getting their first chances onstage at a showcase club to an elder statesman who got his start more than a half-century ago in the fabled Gaslight Square entertainment district. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, June 3 Billed as the “New York Jazz Ensemble," bassist Tom Kennedy, saxophonists George Garzone and Steve Wirts, guitarist Joe Cohn ...
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Festival

Chris Botti And Jon Batiste & Stay Human Tix At Newport Jazz Fest On Sale 12/18

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations
December 18, 2014

Tickets Go On Sale Worldwide on Thursday, December 18, 10:00 am for Newport Jazz Festival Opening Night Concert featuring Chris Botti and Jon Batiste & Stay Human at the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport Casino Pre-Concert Cocktail Party Tickets Also On Sale NEWPORT, RI – Tickets for the opening night concert of the Newport Jazz Festival presented by Natixis Global Asset Management featuring Chris Botti and Jon Batiste & Stay Human on the Alex and Ani Stage at ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chris Botti

Source: Michael Ricci
October 12, 2013

All About Jazz is celebrating Chris Botti's birthday today!

Trumpeter Chris Botti is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer, and a charismatic performer who-- since the release of his first solo album in 1995--has created a series of recordings which have made him a virtual genre-of-one in the realm of contemporary jazz while at the same time capturing the attention of the pop music world. Through his singular combination of lush atmos¬pheres and thoughtful improvisations... Read more.

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Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Jim Pugh, Jeremy Haynes, Amina Figarova, Jazz St. Louis Gala, Jeff Coffin, Chris Botti, Dan Thomas, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
February 20, 2013

There's jazz and creative music happening early and often throughout this week in St. Louis, and so to help make sure that you don't miss anything, here's a special early edition of the weekly highlights post: Tonight, trombonist Jim Pugh is in town for a free concert at at Maryville University presented by the St. Louis Low Brass Collective. Pugh is best known for his work with Woody Herman and Chick Corea, but also has been a top studio trombonist ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Chris Botti

Source: Michael Ricci
October 12, 2012

All About Jazz is celebrating Chris Botti's birthday today!

Place our Musician ...
read more

Performance / Tour

Jazz This Week: Chris Botti, Byron Stripling, Bill Watrous, Unt One O'Clock Lab Band, St. Louis Rivermen, and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
February 23, 2012

If there's a keyword for this weekend's schedule of jazz and creative music in St. Louis, it's “brass." The next few days will see three stellar touring brass players—two trumpeters and a trombonist—playing here as soloists or bandleaders, plus a somewhat larger-than-usual number of big band performances, and some other noteworthy shows, too. Let's go the highlights: On Thursday evening, the University of North Texas One O'Clock Lab Band will be in town for a concert at Webster Groves High ...
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Performance / Tour

SISO's 2012-13 Season to Feature Concerts with Wynton Marsalis and JALCO, Chris Botti

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
February 8, 2012

The Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra tonight announced its season schedule for 2012-13, and the lineup of concerts includes a few performances that could be of potential interest to local jazz fans. As part of its “Live at Powell Hall" series, the SLSO will present a program called “The Music of Ray Charles" on Friday, September 21. Charles' vast catalog certainly provides plenty of material to work with, and with the right songs and vocal soloists, it could be a solid ...
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