Chris Botti

Chris Botti

Christopher Botti or Chris Botti (born October 12, 1962) is a trumpeter and composer; born in Portland, Oregon. He plays a Martin Committee trumpet made in 1939, and uses a 3 silver plated mouthpiece from Bach made in 1926, having recently retired his 1920 3C Bach mouthpiece.

In college, Botti studied under David Baker and Bill Adam at Indiana University.

As of 2006, Botti has recorded eight solo albums. His first few efforts could safely be classified as smooth jazz, though critic Alex Henderson argues that Botti's music was a cut above much of the genre; reviewing his 1999 effort, Slowing Down the World, Henderson writes "it would be a major mistake to lump it in with the outright elevator muzak that Kenny G, Dave Koz, Najee, and Richard Elliot were known for ... Botti is capable of a lot more."[1] Though still featuring heavy contributions from pop music singers, Botti's more recent albums have found him exploring more traditional jazz territory, with lush orchestral arrangements even earning comparisons to Gil Evans.[2]

Botti has also performed or recorded with artists such as Sting, Frank Sinatra, Chaka Khan, Andrea Bocelli, Jill Scott, Steven Tyler, The Blue Nile, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Dave Koz, Jeff Lorber, David Torn, Roy Hargrove, Paul Simon, Clark Terry, Lee Ritenour, Renee Olstead, Paula Cole and Brian Culbertson. Botti was also a member of Bruford Levin Upper Extremities, a more experimental, jazz fusion-oriented group

Botti is also a radio host. His show, Chill with Chris Botti, focuses mainly on "chill" music, which is described as "smooth jazz with a touch of cool jazz."

Botti performed at the 2005 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, opening the show.

In 2006, Botti won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): "What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life?" (Chris Botti & Sting) Billy Childs, Gil Goldstein & Heitor Pereira.

Discography

• First Wish (1995)
• Midnight Without You (1997)
• Slowing Down the World (1999)
• Night Sessions (2001)
• The Very Best of Chris Botti (2002)
• December (2002)
• A Thousand Kisses Deep (2003)
• When I Fall In Love (2004)
• To Love Again (2005)

See also

• 20th century brass instrumentalists
• List of trumpeters
• List of jazz trumpeters

External links

• Official site
• Discography
• Chill with Chris Botti Radio Show
• About.com Interview with Chris Botti