Jazz / Contemporary Jazz, Standards, Trumpet Jazz
Chris Botti - Arranger, Trumpet
Al Schmitt Recording
Allen Sides Mixing, Recording
Archie Castillo Management
Bill Ross Arranger
Billy Childs Trio Arranger, Piano
Billy Kilson Drums
Bobby Colomby Management, Producer
Brad Dechter Orchestration, Arranger
David Bett Art Direction
David Hewitt Recording
Dominic Miller Guitar
Evan Barker Adaptation
Gayle Holcomb Booking
Gene Salomon Legal Advisor
Gerrit Kinkel Assistant Engineer
Gil Goldstein Arranger
Harley J. Neumann Business Consultant
Jeremy Lubbock Arranger
Jeremy Plotnikoff Tour Manager
John Mayer Vocals, Photography
Jorge Calandrelli Arranger
Josh Groban Vocals
Katharine McPhee Vocals
Keith Lockhart Conductor
Lucia Micarelli Violin
Mark Schulman Arranger
Mark Stephens Piano
Mark Whitfield Guitar
Matt Evers Production Coordination, Management
Phil Gitomer Digital Editing
Robert Hurst Bass
Robert Vosgien Mastering
Russ Irwin Keyboards, Vocals (Background)
Steve Genewick Recording
Steven Tyler Vocals
Sting Vocals
Yo-Yo Ma Cello
Chris Botti In Boston finds the chart-topping Jazz trumpeter and special guests performing live at the historic Boston Symphony Hall with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops on September 18 and 19, 2008. Includes guest appearances from Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer, Katharine McPhee, Sting, Lucia Micarelli and Steven Tyler.
Chris Botti in Boston features trumpeter Chris Botti along with a bevy of name artists performing live with the Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall in 2008. Fully documented as a concert film and album, the night is an intimate and soulful birds-eye view of the supple-toned trumpeter who has grown into his role as a virtuoso since his time backing up Sting -- who of course appears here. Perhaps it isn't surprising then the concert is subtly reminiscent of Sting's own classic coming of age concert moment Bring on the Night. If Sting's 1986 show was an attempt to reintroduce himself to the world as a pop-cum-jazz artist, then Botti's 2008 show is clearly a showcase for the one-time smooth jazz wunderkind to fully represent himself as the eye of his own crossover storm. Having never fully embraced the synthetic vibe of the smooth jazz sound, Botti has spent his time since 2004's massively popular When I Fall in Love creating his own organic, acoustic and "straight-ahead" crossover jazz. In the context of contemporary smooth jazz, Botti's retro-gesture is actually kind of innovative. Clearly owing a heavy debt to legendary trumpeter Miles Davis, Botti not only surrounds himself with the elegant, live Boston Pops Orchestra, but has hired some of the most heavy-hitting rhythm section players on the scene with drummer Billy Kilson, bassist Robert Hurst, pianist Billy Childs, guitarist Mark Whitfield, and others. The result clearly pulls much inspiration from Davis' work with Gil Evans -- he even plays "Flamenco Sketches" -- but never seems to belabor the comparison. Similarly, Botti's choice of guest artists including vocalist Josh Groban, violinist Lucia Micarelli, and even rocker Steven Tyler always appears genuinely considered based on Botti's own musical taste. And although pairing the elegant cellist Yo-Yo Ma with Botti is somewhat of a no-brainer, their work together here, much like the entire concert itself, is never less than breathtaking. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide
Chris Botti
Active Decades: '90s and '00s
Genre: Jazz
Styles: Instrumental Pop, Jazz-Pop, Contemporary Jazz, Crossover Jazz, Standards, Smooth Jazz
Though best-known as a contemporary jazz performer, trumpeter Chris Botti made his initial splash on the pop music scene. A native of Oregon, he started playing at the age of ten, and while still in high school began performing professionally. After studying in the prestigious Indiana University music program under the noted jazz educator David Baker, Botti relocated to New York, where he served with saxophonist George Coleman and trumpet great Woody Shaw; under the guidance of producers including Hugh Padgham and Arif Mardin, he swiftly emerged as a highly regarded pop session player, lending his trumpet to recordings from figures including Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Thomas Dolby. In 1990, Botti was asked to join Paul Simon's band, where he remained for the next five years. Finally, in 1995, he recorded his solo debut, First Wish, a record combining the sounds of contemporary pop-jazz with the textures of art rock. After scoring the 1996 film Caught, Botti resurfaced in 1997 with his second LP, Midnight Without You, which was followed by Slowing Down the World in 1999. Two years later, he was a featured soloist on Sting's Brand New Day world tour, and that time allowed Botti to rediscover old musical passions and create new ones. Night Sessions (2001), which was recorded in Los Angeles, captured such jazzy pop. That muse was explored further in 2003 with A Thousand Kisses Deep, and to a lesser extent on the more tradtional orchestral jazz of 2004's When I Fall in Love. That record was his first Top 40 entry, and it was followed by the number 18 hit To Love Again: The Duets in 2005. Another Top 40 placement, Italia, followed in 2007.
--- Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide |
