When I Fall In Love!! Multi-Grammy Winner Chris Botti Returns To The McCallum

Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD When I Fall In Love, Chris Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist. His success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop music. His ongoing association with PBS has led to four #1 jazz albums, as well as multiple Gold and Platinum records and Grammy Awards.The McCallum Theatre welcomes the return of Grammy Award winner Chris Botti on Friday, April 12, at 8:00pm and Saturday, April 13, at 8:00pm.

Performing worldwide and selling more than four million albums, he has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. Hitting the road for 250+ days per year, Chris and his band have performed with many of the finest symphonies and at the world's most prestigious venues, including performances at the World Series, the White House, and the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.

Chris seemed destined to become a musician, and 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 Chris was in the first grade.
When Chris was twelve, he heard Miles Davis play "My Funny Valentine." The impact it had persuaded him to make a commitment to the trumpet, and launched the affection for melody, space and balance that have been intrinsic aspects of Chris' musical vision.

After attending Indiana University, and studying with jazz educator David Baker, trumpet teacher Bill Adam, jazz trumpeter Woody Shaw and jazz saxophonist George Coleman, Chris 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. In 1990, Chris joined Paul Simon's band where he remained for the next five years and became a key sideman in a backing group. Two years later, Chris toured as a featured soloist on Sting's "Brand New Day" world tour that lasted 2½ years.

Over the past three decades, Botti has recorded and performed with the best in music, including Sting, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, and even Frank Sinatra.

Chris' 2002 release Night Sessions was written and recorded during a two month hiatus between Sting tours and was inspired by the sounds of the late night European club scene. Night Sessions became a breakthrough contemporary jazz hit and was followed that same year byDecember, a joyful interpretation of seasonal standards. A Thousand Kisses Deep in 2003 started to show Chris' affinity for the classics with a renowned arrangement of the Miles Davis classic "My Funny Valentine."

When I Fall In Love (2004) provided Chris with his big break when he was featured on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Within a week of his performance on "Oprah," he had sold more than 50,000 CDs and hit #1 on the jazz charts. He spent an incredible 17 weeks at #1, including a spectacular 14 consecutive week run in the top spot.

Chris' next album, To Love Again, featured a collection of pop jazz standards and stand-out guest artists including Sting, Michael Buble, Gladys Knight and Steven Tyler. Grammy nominatedItalia in 2007 was a brilliant showcase for Chris' versatility as a performer, composer, and collaborator. The title track featured Andrea Bocelli and Chris' interpretation of "Ave Maria," a tune he often uses to open his concerts. In 2008, Chris invited an extraordinary variety of artists, including Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer, and others, to join him on-stage with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra for a pair of once-in-a-lifetime concerts. The two nights of concerts were released on DVD and the CD Chris Botti in Boston was nominated for three Grammy Awards.

Playing with soaring musical imagination, Chris was joined on his 2012 CD Impressions by Andrea Bocelli, Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock, Mark Knopfler and David Foster, among others. As Chris planned Impressions, he was determined to do songs that reached back to his fascination with the melody and balladry essential to his music since he first picked up a trumpet.Impressions won a Grammy in 2013 in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.

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.

www.chrisbotti.com

The Friday, April 12, performance at 8:00pm is presented through the generosity of
Edeltraud & Patrick M. McCarthy.

The Saturday, April 13, performance at 8:00pm is presented through the generosity of
Wayne L. Prim.

Tickets for this performance are priced at $105, $95, $75 and $55. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-2787.

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