One of the most successful crossover artists of his generation, Chris Botti is a lyrical jazz trumpeter known for his stylishly romantic sound. Trained in post-bop improvisation and classical technique, Botti first garnered acclaim as a sideman with Paul Simon and Sting, applying his Miles Davis-influenced trumpet playing to their nuanced pop songs. It was a cross-pollinated vibe that he further explored on his own albums, eventually topping the jazz charts with 2004's When I Fall in Love, 2005's To Love Again: The Duets, 2007's Italia, and 2012's Impressions, the latter of which also won him the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album. On the heels of several decades of constant touring and live performances, Botti returned to his warmly rendered standards and ballads approach with 2023's Vol. 1. Born in 1962 in Portland, Oregon, Botti was introduced to music by his mother, a classically trained pianist. He started on the trumpet around age nine and became dedicated to pursuing jazz at 12 after discovering Miles Davis' 1964 version of "My Funny Valentine." Already an accomplished musician in his teens, he was selected to participate in 1981's McDonald's All American High School Jazz Band, performing at Carnegie Hall. He finished out his senior year of high school by attending classes at Mount Hood Community College, during which time he also gigged locally. From there, he enrolled at the prestigious Indiana University music program, working with noted jazz educator David Baker and trumpeter Bill Adam. During his time at Indiana, he won two National Endowment of the Arts grants which he used to study privately with both trumpeter Woody Shaw and former Miles Davis saxophonist George Coleman. Leaving college early in his senior year, Botti toured with Buddy Rich and Frank Sinatra before relocating to New York City. In 1990, he accepted a job in Paul Simon's band, where he remained for the next five years. He also worked with a bevy of other name artists during his time with Simon, including Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, Aretha Franklin, the Brecker Brothers, and others. He was also a member of the fusion supergroup Bruford Levin Upper Extremities featuring Yes drummer Bill Bruford and bassist Tony Levin. With the group, he appeared on 1999's Upper Extremities. As a leader, Botti made his solo debut with 1995's First Wish, a record combining the sounds of contemporary pop-jazz with the textures of art rock. After scoring the 1996 film Caught, he returned with his sophomore album, 1997's Midnight Without You, which was followed by 1999's Slowing Down the World. These albums caught the attention of Sting, who invited Botti to join him as a featured soloist on his Brand New Day tour. His time with Sting led to him recording All This Time, a live concert album taped on September 11, 2001 in which he was showcased. Botti's time with Sting proved transformative, reigniting old musical passions and sparking new ones. He displayed his newfound creativity on 2001's Night Sessions, an album recorded in Los Angeles that reintroduced his sophisticated blend of jazz and pop. That muse was explored further on 2022's December. Both albums reached to Top Five of the jazz charts with the latter also charting on the Billboard 200. He again reached the jazz Top Ten with 2003's A Thousand Kisses Deep. 2004's When I Fall in Love proved his breakthrough. Produced by Bobby Colomby, Jeff Lorber, and Brian Bromberg, it found Botti embracing a more traditional orchestral jazz style, one influenced by Miles Davis' classic albums with arranger Gil Evans. It also featured guest vocals from Sting and Paula Cole. The record hit number one on the jazz chart and was his first Top 40 entry. A year later, he again topped the jazz charts and reached number 18 on the Billboard 200 with To Love Again: The Duets. Another orchestral album, it featured yet more guest singers including Cole, Michael Bublé, and Jill Scott. Another Top 40 placement, the opera-influenced Italia, followed in 2007, with Live in Boston following in 2009. In 2012, Botti returned with the studio album Impressions. Focusing on his love of melody, Impressions found him collaborating with such artists as jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, guitarist Mark Knopfler, country singer Vince Gill, composer/pianist/producer David Foster, and more. His fourth consecutive album to reach the Top 40, it also took home the Grammy for Best Instrumental Pop Album. For much of the next decade, Botti continued to tour heavily, appearing around the globe and headlining an annual string of holiday shows at the Blue Note in New York City. In 2023, he returned with his 11th studio album, Vol. 1. Produced by David Foster and featuring a guest appearance by violinist Joshua Bell on "My Funny Valentine," it found him exploring a mix of jazz standards and pop classics in a romantic vein. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi

Earl Klugh's Weekend of Jazz 2018

Chris Botti

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