Press Releases

Archived Press Releases

January 31, 2008

CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ARTIST CHRIS BOTTI AT REICHHOLD CENTER

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   Celebrate Valentines weekend at Reichhold Center for the Arts with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, playing such standards as “When I Fall in Love,” “Let There be Love” and “My One and Only Love.” Botti performs on Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 8 p.m.
   Botti comes to the Virgin Islands on the heels of his 2007 sold-out, two-week stint at New York’s famed Blue Note jazz club. Joining him are drummer Billy Kilson, guitarist Mark Whitfield, pianist Peter Martin and vocalist Sy Smith, along with the Virgin Islands’ own Rueben Rogers on bass.
   A New York Times article about the performance hailed the jazz virtuoso as “Sting-endorsed and Oprah-approved.”
   Oprah Winfrey discovered the jazz artists during her fantasy wedding show in 2004. Botti says his “real break came when, two hours before (he) was set to perform at the TV wedding, Oprah listened to (his) CD in her dressing room,” referring to “When I Fall in Love.” “She flipped for it, and then suddenly couldn’t say enough about me.” Botti performed at Winfrey’s Legends Ball in 2006, appearing in the ABC TV special. Since appearing on Oprah, Botti has gone on to sell more than one million records.
   “Italia,” Botti’s newest CD is nominated for a 2008 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album. A native of Portland, Oregon, Botti says “Italia” reminds him of his childhood years in Italy. The charismatic musician joined forces on the title track of the same name with Italian opera great Andrea Bocelli. Other amazing selections include the relaxing sounds of “Venice” and the trumpeter’s rendition of “Ave Maria,” a set with which he often open his shows. The CD also features songs from the Great American Songbook, including “The Very Thought of You” and “The Way You Look Tonight.”
   Botti loves classic American songs. For his 2006 “Live with Orchestra and Special Guests,” Botti collaborated with Jill Scott on “Good Morning Heartache,” and Sting on “What are you Doing the Rest of Your Life?” Botti also gives a commanding rendition of “My Funny Valentine,” paying homage to the legendary jazz trumpeter Miles Davis, who influenced him. The live recording aired on Public Broadcasting Stations nationwide in 2007, making it one the network’s most requested productions.
   Though stardom has come in recent years, the 45-year-old has been in the music industry for more than 20 years. Botti began his career in New York City in the mid-1980’s. From 1990 to 1995, he accompanied singer-songwriter Paul Simon on his world tour.  
   Botti began his solo career in 1995 with the debut of “First Wish.”  Since then, he has also released: “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), and “To Love Again” (2005).
   The trumpeter was a featured solo instrumentalist on Sting’s Brand New Day tour from 1999 to 2001. Botti has opened for Michael Bublé, toured with Josh Grobin, and collaborated with the likes of Gladys Knight, Burt Bacharach, Paula Cole and Steven Tyler. In the vein of artists such as Natalie Cole and Lisa Presley, Botti recorded collaborations with deceased artists Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. 
   This year, Botti embarks on an across-the-world expedition to promote “Italia” and his other signature songs. He will be blowing his trumpet in Poland, Canada, United Kingdom, Taiwan, China, Singapore and Thailand; as well as across the United States. 
   Chris Botti’s performance at Reichhold Centeris sponsored by First Bank, First Insurance, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef Resort, Tropical Shipping, the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts and Innovative Cable TV.
   Tickets are $25, $36 and $45. Tickets are available at Modern Music, UVI Bookstore, V.I. Bridal & Tuxedo, Urban Threadz, Essentric Shoe Boutique, Island Video (Nisky), Home Again (Red Hook) and the Reichhold Center Box Office at 693-1559.

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