Indulge yourselves to a laidback evening with international jazz instrumentalist Chris Botti in his first ever NZ show at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre next year February.
Performing worldwide and selling more than four million albums, American trumpeter Botti has found a form of creative expression that begins in jazz and expands beyond the limits of any single genre. As both an instrumentalist and composer, Botti has established a reputation as a versatile musician in both jazz and pop music for his ability to fuse both styles.
Botti's musical connections with some of the world's best known recording artists—including Sting, Paul Simon, Andrea Bocelli, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer and Mark Knopfler—has led to continual tours and recordings since he first moved to New York City in 1985 to hone his craft as a studio musician. Bocelli and Knopfler were among featured artists on Botti's Grammy award-winning Impressions (2012), one of 10 studio albums he has recorded, together with two live albums and two compilations.
In 1990, he began a decade-long touring and recording relationship with Paul Simon which broadened his exposure to other singers. During that period, he also performed and recorded with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, Scritti Politti and Roger Daltrey.
In 1999, Botti was invited to tour with Sting as a featured soloist on his 'Brand New Day' world tour. The two-year run culminated in All This Time, a CD/DVD-taping and webcast performance from Sting's Italian estate in Tuscany on September 11, 2001.
"Chris Botti's (recent projects) display the influence of Miles Davis and Chet Baker… he is the most famous trumpeter since Herb Alpert.” – Jazztimes
"Virtuosic trumpet work… inventive melody-making… engaging onstage presence." – Los Angeles Times
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, Joshua Bell, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and even Frank Sinatra. Botti attributes his rise to world success to his work with Sting; he not only toured with the former Police singer's band over several years but featured as opening act at Sting's shows.
"Watching artists like Sting and Paul and Joni Mitchell, how they get in and out of songs… all that was a huge asset for me. I wouldn't be the performer I am today without that background." - Chris Botti
Hitting the road for as many as 300 days per year, the trumpeter has also performed with many of the finest symphonies and at some of the world's most prestigious venues, from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Real Teatro di San Carlo in Italy.
Relax your senses and witness Chris Botti's soul-inducing performance this February.
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