Vol. 5 No. 1, January 2008
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Horn of Plenty
Chris Botti performs 9 p.m. Saturday, January 12 at Harrah’s Atlantic City’s The Concert Venue. Tickets are $35, $40 and $50.
It’s not often that a trumpeter reaches headline status. But Chris Botti, who wisely struts his good looks on the daytime talk show circuit, has done just that. The Botti tour comes to Harrah’s Atlantic City January 12 to support his latest CD, Italia.
If you’re expecting an upbeat night of dance music, you might want to look elsewhere. Italia is a melancholy, sophisticated album. “For me, music that breaks your heart is the music that stays with you forever,” says the best-selling jazz artist.
Capturing the beauty of Italy, the romantic concept album is inspired by Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain and Kind of Blue, straying from improvisation and concentrating on elaborate arrangements. The album features Andrea Bocelli, Paula Cole, a recording with vocals from the late Dean Martin and Botti’s interpretation of “Ave Maria.”
Since releasing his 1995 debut solo record, the trumpeter, instrumentalist and composer is that rare artist who has crossed over from jazz to pop without compromising his integrity. He is the former trumpeter for Sting, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell, and won a Grammy with Sting for “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” He produced a successful DVD/PBS special, Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests, in 2005. He also recently appeared on Bocelli’s PBS special.
