Chris Botti

Raised in a musical family, Chris Botti was an early fan of jazz trumpet, especially the ballads of Miles Davis. His jazz studies culminated under the tutelage of the late trumpet master Woody Shaw, and Botti began a professional career with a five-year stint playing for Paul Simon. Admired for his velvet tone and exquisite phrasing, he got work with Joni Mitchell, Marc Cohn and Natalie Merchant, and then was a valued player touring with Sting’s jazz-pop ensemble. In 1995 he began recording the numerous solo CDs that have made him one of the most beloved performers of contemporary jazz. A fluent instrumentalist and inspired performer whose on-stage charisma is unrivaled, Botti combines classic jazz atmospherics with lush pop textures and harmonies. He is also a charmed interpreter of classic jazz ballads from the so-called American Songbook, most fully expressed on 2004’s When I Fall in Love. In 2005 Chris recorded To Love Again featuring duets with Sting, Michael Bublé, Gladys Knight, and Steven Tyler. This is your chance to find out why Botti is one of Oprah’s all-time favourite musicians! Chris will be playing in Victoria with Billy Kilson drums, Mark Whitfield guitar, James Genus bass, Peter Martin piano and Sly Smith vocals.