[SUNDAY LIVE] #AudioCasters Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti with the Boston Pops Orchestra LIVE at the Symphony Hall (02:03:23) Fully documented as a concert film and album, the night is an intimate and soulful birds-eye view of the supple-toned trumpeter who has grown into his role as a virtuoso since his time backing up Sting -- who of course appears here. Perhaps it isnt surprising then the concert is subtly reminiscent of Stings own classic coming of age concert moment Bring on the Night. If Stings 1986 show was an attempt to reintroduce himself to the world as a pop-cum-jazz artist, then Bottis 2008 show is clearly a showcase for the one-time smooth jazz wunderkind to fully represent himself as the eye of his own crossover storm. Having never fully embraced the synthetic vibe of the smooth jazz sound, Botti has spent his time since 2004s massively popular When I Fall in Love creating his own organic, acoustic and straight-ahead crossover jazz. In the context of contemporary smooth jazz, Bottis retro-gesture is actually kind of innovative. Clearly owing a heavy debt to legendary trumpeter Miles Davis, Botti not only surrounds himself with the elegant, live Boston Pops Orchestra, but has hired some of the most heavy-hitting rhythm section players on the scene with drummer Billy Kilson, bassist Robert Hurst, pianist Billy Childs, guitarist Mark Whitfield, and others. The result clearly pulls much inspiration from Davis work with Gil Evans -- he even plays Flamenco Sketches -- but never seems to belabor the comparison. Similarly, Bottis choice of guest artists including vocalist Josh Groban, violinist Lucia Micarelli, and even rocker Steven Tyler always appears genuinely considered based on Bottis own musical taste. And although pairing the elegant cellist Yo-Yo Ma with Botti is somewhat of a no-brainer, their work together here, much like the entire concert itself, is never less than breathtaking.
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 05:53:48 +0000
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