News release from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic:
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Features Chris Botti: Live in Concert
(April 7, 2016) – The Fort Wayne Philharmonic will present GRAMMY award winning trumpet virtuoso “Chris Botti: Live in Concert”, on Saturday, April 30, 7:30 at the Embassy Theatre in downtown Fort Wayne. The concert will feature Botti and his band performing his signature brand of sensuous ballads and jazz infused pop songs with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.
“Chris Botti has a trumpet sound that suggests the softer side of luminosity, the realm of sunsets and half-moons, and low-wattage incandescence. Mellow and pearly, it emits an unabashed beauty,” said New York Times music critic Nate Chinen.
An Oregon native, Botti started playing the trumpet at ten years of age and performing professionally while still in high school. He continued his studies at Indiana University under the late, distinguished jazz educator David Baker. He then moved to New York to perform under the tutelage of saxophonist George Coleman and renowned trumpeter Woody Shaw while simultaneously launching a successful career as a session musician. Contributing to recordings of such greats as Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, and Roger Daltrey, Botti also joined Paul Simon’s band where he remained for five years.
Botti’s solo career began in 2001 with the album “Night Sessions”, followed by “A Thousand Kisses Deep” in 2003. His first Top 40 entry came with 2004’s “When I Fall in Love”, followed by “To Love Again: The Duets” in 2005, which reached number 18. Another Top 40 spot came with 2007’s, “Italia”, followed with the live album “Chris Botti in Boston” in 2009. Focusing on his love of melody, Botti returned to the studio in 2012 to record “Impressions”, featuring collaborations with such artists as jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, guitarist Mark Knopfler, country singer Vince Gill, and composer/pianist/producer David Foster.
In an article for the Mercury News, Botti laid out his personal performing philosophy, “I’m a fan of great musicians. I want to stand on stage and feel like I’m witnessing brilliant players.” He continued, “With great musicians in the band I clear everything away and let them be free. They take it wherever they want to. That enables me to play the dreamy stuff.”
Tickets for “Chris Botti: Live in Concert” start at $34 and are conveniently available for purchase online at www.fwphil.org. Purchases can also be made in person at The Phil Box Office, located at 4901 Fuller Drive, or over the phone by calling 260-481-0777. The Phil Box Office is open Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or Saturday (Masterworks and Pops concert days only) from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. Tickets may also be available for purchase at the Embassy Theatre during normal operating hours and two hours prior to each concert. Full program and series information is available at www.fwphil.org.
About the Fort Wayne Philharmonic
Fort Wayne Philharmonic Now performing its 72th season, The Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s mission is to inspire and foster a lifelong love of classical music through performance and education. The Phil is led by Music Director Andrew Constantine and is a member of the League of American Orchestras, a funded member of Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, the Indiana Arts Commission, and National Endowment for the Arts. For additional information, log on to: www.fwphil.org.
Related Images:
