by: Sandi Durell
Carnegie Hall rocked with the sounds of Grammy winner and numero uno international trumpeter CHRIS BOTTI at the opening night New York Pops Concert on Friday October 4th, conducted by the firm, yet gentle, hand of music director/conductor STEVEN REINEKE.
Botti speaks jazz, an on-going conversation that is ever-flowing between himself, his musicians and vocalists. There’s a uniqueness about this good looking trumpet man who credits Miles Davis as mentor.
He chooses the best musicians in the world; he travels 300 days a year doing concerts surrounded by them and is an elegant showman with his 1939 Martin in hand. He also possesses mind-boggling breath control.
With him, in this NY Pops debut, were gorgeous violinist Caroline Campbell, slim and sparkling as her fingers feathered the strings. The misty sounds of Sy Smith (possessing an extraordinary vocal range) soared as she scatted and riffed in tandem with Botti’s trumpet.
Special guest, George Komsky, young up and coming opera star, sang a Chris Botti original called “Italia.”
From tunes like “The Very Thought of You” to theme from “Cinema Paradiso” and Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,”by the time the evening came to close, the feeling was akin to being in a giant stadium at a rock concert.
His fantastic musicians included: Billy Kilson on Drums, Richie Goods on Bass, Leonardo Amuedo on Guitar and Taylor Eigsti on Piano.
For more information about Chris Bottii see recent Interview with Chris on this site!
**Video and Photos by Magda Katz
