In 2008, legendary jazz trumpeter, Chris Botti wowed the audience at Boston’s Symphony Hall by performing two nights in a row with the Boston Pops Orchestra featuring various musicians such as Sting, guitarist Dominic Miller, Josh Groban, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Lucia Micarelli and John Mayer.

The trumpeter, who was also named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People" by People magazine in 2004, came back to Boston by having a show on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the Hanover Theatre for Performing Arts.

The Grammy-winning recording artist started his show with "Ave Maria." His band consisted of drums, guitar, bass, piano and keys. The "really long" but clear and beautiful sounding of Botti’s trumpet even made people laugh at times.

When they played "When I fall in Love," a vivid combination of his trumpet and the band was really exciting, making Botti’s trumpet sound like someone was singing. The entire melody that Botti produced was so alive and it completely permeated through the bone.

After the tune, he shared the excitement of doing the show with the audience, "There is nothing I can say except for ‘Good night.’ That’s how great it is."

After he talked about the Boston shows in 2008, he started "Caruso," which he played in 2008 as well.
Botti talked a lot between the tunes. Despite the formal feel of the evening, he made a lot of jokes and kept the audience laughing. He even shared a special memory with Sting by saying, "English people sometimes don’t get jokes." When he played with Sting for a wedding party in Italy last July 4th, Botti was supposed to be the only one who would perform there at first but the bride’s favorite musician was actually Sting, and her "second-favorite" musician was Botti. He jokingly told Sting that but Sting obviously did not get the joke and said to Botti, "So I should be performing, shouldn’t I?"

After this sweet story, he started "Flamenco Sketches," which he referred as "Miles Davis kind of blues."
"Emmanuelle" was joined by Lucia Micarelli who accidentally tripped and landed on a wine glass last Independence Day. She cut her left hand open, severed a couple of nerves, and did not have full feeling in three of her fingers. However, she put so much effort to get a speedy recovery and spent several months for rehabilitation after emergency surgery. After listening to this shocking but amazing story, the sound coming from Micarelli’s violin sounded really heavy and strong but at the same time, it was fragile.

After Micarelli’s divine performance, Madonna’s Confessions Tour backing singer, Nicki Richards joined Botti to perform "The Look of Love." Her huge vocal dominated the stage. It was impressive and nearly competitive with Botti’s trumpet. They also played "The Very Thought of You," which was dedicated to a couple in the audience who was getting married in October, and "Good Morning Heartache." Richards’ vocal made each tune really fun, catchy, and rhythmic.

Botti started talking about Sting again when he showed his appreciation for Sting. Six years ago, Botti made a big breakthrough in his career, when Sting asked him to be a supporting act for his tour.
The entire show was full of sweet and bitter memories that Botti had with other musicians. Additionally, the sweetest thing happened in the end. Botti asked the audience, "Is there any young musician here today?" An adorable little 9-year-old girl answered that she played the piano. And, she was invited to come up the stage. After welcoming the cute little pianist, Botti started to share about his senior year in college doing short touring stints with Frank Sinatra. He paused, asked the girl to cover her ears with hands, and said "I ‘dropped out of college’ for that." Jazz pianist Billy Childs and Botti started the unplugged/acapella version of the Frank Sinatra tune "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)" Needless to say, the show closed with full of smiles and excitement.

*Set list*
Ave Maria
When I Fall in Love
Caruso
Flamenco Sketches
Emmanuelle
The Look of Love
The Very Thought of You
Good Morning Heartache
Cinema Paradiso
Indian Summer
One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

About The Author

Eiko Watanabe is a Blast staff writer in New York

4 Responses

  1. Cherie Ronayne

    A fine review, however, the concert was presented by Music Worcester, Inc., in celebration of their most venerable 150th anniversary – a bit of worthy news not to be excluded. Also, the Hanover Theatre is located in Worcester, MA – NOT Boston. Responsible journalism requires editors to employ the who, what, WHERE, etc., rule, as well, and not edit out the important, requisite information!

    Reply
  2. Cherie Clark

    I was happy to attend the May 15th performance at the Hanover Theater. I bought my ticket in November and looked forfard to seeing Mr. Botti. He lived up to my expectations, and was very charming. I got to meet him twice. I got him to sign two autographs for me. The second autograph was his CD when I fall in love which was the CD that cemented me as a fan. I was so nervous that I couldn’t even look at him. Thanks Mr. Botti.

    Cherie Clark/ aka Cheri like the song!

    Reply

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