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CHRIS BOTTI


BIO:
Botti seemed destined to become a musician -- and even to become the kind of musician he is today -- almost from the very beginning. Born in Portland, Oregon, he was encouraged to pursue music by his mother, a concert pianist. He also had an early taste of the international world that would become his primary territory as a successful performing artist. His father, who is Italian, taught English and Italian languages, and he took the family to live in Italy for several years, beginning when Botti was in the first grade. “I was speaking fluent Italian before we came back,” he recalls. “But, sadly, I’ve forgotten most of it.” That he still feels a firm connection with his Italian roots, however, was fully manifest in the title song he composed, with David Foster, for the album, Italia. A different, but equally significant connection took place when Botti was twelve, and he heard Miles Davis play “My Funny Valentine.” The impact it had not only persuaded him to make a life time commitment to the trumpet, it also launched the affection for melody, space and balance that have been intrinsic aspects of Botti’s musical vision. After attending Indiana University, and studying with the highly regarded jazz educator David Baker, the great trumpet teacher Bill Adam, jazz trumpeter Woody Shaw and jazz saxophonist George Coleman, he moved to New York in the mid-‘80s. His early career was spent crafting his skills in settings reaching from the Buddy Rich Big Band and Frank Sinatra to Natalie Cole and Joni Mitchell. Throughout the ‘90s and into the new century, Botti played extensively with Paul Simon, and had an especially creative association with Sting. Those gigs – and those relationships – were, he says, powerful learning experiences. “Watching artists like Sting and Paul and Joni Mitchell,” explains Botti, “how they get in and out of songs, how they introduce people, whether they would do this or that sort of thing, what they would say about one of their players. All that was a huge asset for me. I wouldn’t be the performer I am today without that background.” Now a major artist in his own right, performing worldwide, selling more than three million albums, he has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. With Impressions and the albums that preceded it, Chris Botti has thoroughly established himself as one of the important, innovative figures of the contemporary music world.

Latest Articles


Joshua Bell Announces a Return to Australia in 2024 for a Solo Concert Tour Photo Joshua Bell Announces a Return to Australia in 2024 for a Solo Concert Tour
by Michael Major - December 04, 2023

Joshua Bell announces his return to Australia in 2024 for a solo concert tour. The acclaimed violinist will be performing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide, with the UKARIA shows in Adelaide already sold out....

Chris Botti Teams With Singer John Splithoff on Romantic New Single 'Paris' Photo Chris Botti Teams With Singer John Splithoff on Romantic New Single 'Paris'
by Michael Major - September 29, 2023

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 in the world including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Andre...

Orrin Evans Drops New Single 'The Red Door' Photo Orrin Evans Drops New Single 'The Red Door'
by Michael Major - June 19, 2023

What’s behind The Red Door? For pianist Orrin Evans, that question has come to symbolize the daring path his life and music have taken over the course of his three-decade career. On his latest album, he once again flings that door open, delighting in the collaborators, friends, inspiration, and hist...

Grace Jones to Headline Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City Photo Grace Jones to Headline Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City
by Michael Major - March 14, 2023

The lineup includes Grace Jones, Pat Metheny, NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge,) Robert Glasper, BJ The Chicago Kid and Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, as well as a stop on legendary blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy’s Damn Right Farewell tour. Check out the complete list of artists now!...

Chris Botti & The Dallas Symphony Orchestra to Air on PBS Photo Chris Botti & The Dallas Symphony Orchestra to Air on PBS
by Michael Major - August 10, 2022

Recorded live at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Texas, Botti and the DSO, conducted by Albert-George Schram, are joined by vocalists Veronica Swift and Sy Smith, violinist Caroline Campbell, guitarist Leo Amuedo and saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown....

Drummer Pat Petrillo to Release 'Power Station Sessions' With Nile Rodgers Photo Drummer Pat Petrillo to Release 'Power Station Sessions' With Nile Rodgers
by Michael Major - August 08, 2022

Pat Petrillo has long been recognized as one of the most versatile and prolific drummers on the scene. He has worked with a wide array of artists from diverse genres, including Patti LaBelle, Gloria Gaynor, Chieli Minucci, and Ed Hamilton as well as numerous Broadway shows, from A Chorus Line, to Ne...

VIDEO: Jackie Evancho Releases 'Both Sides Now' Music Video Photo VIDEO: Jackie Evancho Releases 'Both Sides Now' Music Video
by Michael Major - June 17, 2022

Evancho has been working on a musical panegyric of Joni Mitchell for some time. Closures from the pandemic led to the album's delay. Jackie Evancho - Carousel of Time, will be released late summer of this year, with at least 2 more singles slated for release on digital streaming platforms ahead of t...

Jackie Evancho Releases Cover of Joni Mitchell's BOTH SIDES NOW Photo Jackie Evancho Releases Cover of Joni Mitchell's BOTH SIDES NOW
by Marissa Tomeo - May 04, 2022

On the heels of signing with Melody Place, Multi-Platinum selling vocalist Jackie Evancho has released her second single, Both Sides Now, out today....

Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Announces 2021 Season Lineup Photo Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage Announces 2021 Season Lineup
by Sarah Jae Leiber - June 03, 2021

The New York-based orchestra is made up of 15 of the finest soloists, ensemble players, and arrangers in jazz music today. Free tickets are required for entry; ticket reservations will be open for request on Monday, June 7 at 12:00PM ET....

Rachel Eckroth Announces Release of Self-Titled EP Photo Rachel Eckroth Announces Release of Self-Titled EP
by Sarah Jae Leiber - April 14, 2021

Rachel met Garza in LA on a gig in 2018 and eventually asked if he'd play and sing on some songs. 'He said, 'Better yet, come to Sonic Ranch in Texas next month and we’ll write and record',' notes Eckroth of the collaboration's genesis....












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