Is Chris Botti really any good???

[Jake]

I've always thought of Chris Botti as more of a cheesy smooth jazz artist. Now I've been reading that some great musicians like Bob Hurst play with him. Is Chris Botti really any good?

[skwee]

He's got chops.

[blackbass54]

Chris Botti has what I would say tone for days. Trumpet was always the instrument I played starting out and many years after, and I know of other trumpet players who say the same thing about Chris.

[uprightbass.com]

Originally Posted by blackbass54

Chris Botti has what I would say tone for days. Trumpet was always the instrument I played starting out and many years after, and I know of other trumpet players who say the same thing about Chris.

I'm conflicted. Sometimes I truly enjoy what he plays, other times I feel like I'm listening to the trumpet version of Kenny G. It's like he's the jazz Jekyl and Hyde. Unlike Kenny G, Botti definitely has talent, but his actual taste is questionable imho.

[pedulla-2007]

With your musical background you should understand the concept of less is best. An artist that has collaborated with other artists from ever type of music must have earned their respect enough for them to put their names on his work. I always remember what a studio producer told me early in my musical career, " Remember, it is the notes that you don't play as well as the notes that you do play, that I am paying you for. Remember how important your intervals are ! ". Just my opinion.

[Ed Fuqua]

Hmmm. Don't forget the golden rule - he who has the gold makes the rules. The band is absolutley killer, Bob Hurst hasn't been on the gig for awhile, it's Tim Lefebre and he sounds great. Billy Childs and Billy Kilson are the rest of the rhythm section.

CB made his career out of sounding like Miles playing a ballad ALL THE TIME. But he's keeping up with the rhythm section, last coupla TV shows I caught.

[MEKer]

I saw him live in Bend, Oregon in 2008 when he opened for Diana Krall. He showed a wide, sensitive intimacy with his instrument (and a great backup band), and played a good array of works that were beautifully played with the effortlessness of a maestro.
He is a pro in all senses of the word.

I wish I had his skill on my own instrument.

[hdiddy]

I got to know a colleague of Botti's through another online forum. Apparently, the guy can really play - it's just that his schtick doesn't present any of it - at least that's what I'm told.

[Clay_Bass]

There's a lot of control on the business side of that gig that leads to the cheese. Monet made a custom trumpet for him recently but his people wouldn't let him play it because it was gold. They didn't want him to change his image, even down to the color of his trumpet. Ingrid Jensen is playing that horn now.

[Jazzdogg]

Originally Posted by Clay_Bass

There's a lot of control on the business side of that gig that leads to the cheese. Monet made a custom trumpet for him recently but his people wouldn't let him play it because it was gold. They didn't want him to change his image, even down to the color of his trumpet. Ingrid Jensen is playing that horn now.

That's a part of the music industry that rubs me the wrong way because, to mix metaphors badly, once you've made your deal with the devil, you've got to pay the piper his pound of flesh.

Greg Adams (TOP), tells stories about record producers dictating the tempo at which various songer were recorded - against the wishes of the band. And who can forget the recent TB thread in which the Nashville recording establishment dictated which sidemen were going to be recorded, and which regular band members were not...

[bottomzone]

What you hear on his studio recordings pales in comparison to seeing him live! I never cared to much for his music until I saw him in concert-dude can play!!!


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Clay_Bass

There's a lot of control on the business side of that gig that leads to the cheese. Monet made a custom trumpet for him recently but his people wouldn't let him play it because it was gold. They didn't want him to change his image, even down to the color of his trumpet. Ingrid Jensen is playing that horn now.

that's freaking depressing.

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Last fall I did a bunch of gigs with a smooth jazz group in town. One night they were playing in a hotel downtown, but I had another gig and somebody else covered it.
So the next day the leader calls me to tell me that Chris was staying in the hotel and his band was having a few drinks in the club, they liked the band and Billy Kilson called for Chris to come down and check it out. Next thing they know, everybody switched places with Chris' entire band sitting in.
Sure would have enjoyed hanging with those guys.

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by hdiddy

I got to know a colleague of Botti's through another online forum. Apparently, the guy can really play - it's just that his schtick doesn't present any of it - at least that's what I'm told.

So your first language was Yiddish?

[bass_snake]

Originally Posted by uprightbass.com

I feel like I'm listening to the trumpet version of Kenny G.

He can play but his style is not my cup of tea.

Fred

[hdiddy]

I just read this interview that Botti did in 2006. I'm kinda impressed and have more respect for the guy. I won't be buying any records but will be open to seeing his shows.

http://jazztimes.com/articles/16578-...kinds-of-brood

He says he intentionally rips off Miles and Wynton, and makes no qualms about it. At least he's honest.

[dalkowski]

Originally Posted by uprightbass.com

I'm conflicted. Sometimes I truly enjoy what he plays, other times I feel like I'm listening to the trumpet version of Kenny G. It's like he's the jazz Jekyl and Hyde. Unlike Kenny G, Botti definitely has talent, but his actual taste is questionable imho.

He's good enough to get paid. Doesn't mean you have to like him.

[MonetBass]

I imagine Sting wouldn't have hired him to play on his Brand New Day tour if he wan't any good.

As others have said, his live playing is much better than what you hear on the album.

[MLysh]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

So your first language was Yiddish?

At least he didn't write "shtick." And since when is playing the trumpet beautifully and musically "schtick?" I'm not a huge fan of his (my wife is, however), but comparisons with Kenny the G are just wrong-headed; Chris can play, probably as well as any of our annointed heros. Obviously, he wants to connect to an audience differently than most who post here...

[hdiddy]

You guys do realize that you're responding to peoples post from 2 years ago.... I just posted the link because it's information that feeds into the topic, and I felt is worth reading.