Picture a smooth-jazz pop icon like Kenny G playing trumpet like Miles Davis circa his "Kind of Blue" phase while looking like a heartthrob and you get Chris Botti. Not that the 47-year-old American is anything like either musician, with his penchant for pop songs marking him as the rare trumpeter who travels well in many circles.
Take his most recent offering, "Chris Botti In Boston," recorded live over two days at Boston's Symphony Hall in September 2008 and released March 2009 on CD and video. Sharing the stage with the Boston Pops Orchestra and guests such as Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Josh Groban and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler, Botti and his band played pop, jazz and classical pieces.
Next month, Botti takes his band — consisting of pianist Billy Childs, drummer Billy Kilson, guitarist Mark Whitfield, bass guitarist Tim Lefebvre and keyboardist Andy Ezrin — to Japan for three performances. Botti will also be joined by special guests singer Sy Smith and violinist Chee-Yun.
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