GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades. He has collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and many others. Botti has topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, and performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House.

In short, Chris Botti really needs no introduction, having firmly established himself as one of the most important and innovative figures in contemporary music.

Yet, with his Blue Note Records debut, he’s offering one anyway. His 2023 release, Vol. 1, is, in many ways, a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back, with a small-group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards.

“I turned 60 in 2022, at a time that seemed like a restart for so many things in the world,” Botti says. “I wanted to strip away all the orchestral arrangements and special guests and focus more on my playing, the playing of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.”

While Botti could boast of the major names with whom he has shared stages, this project allows him to share his enthusiasm for the jazz greats—past and present—that inspire him. His conversation is peppered with references to everyone from Miles Davis to Keith Jarrett to Pat Metheny to Brad Mehldau. He points to landmark albums like Davis’ Kind of Blue, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, or Metheny’s duo outing with Charlie Haden, Beyond the Missouri Sky, as models for the kind of “lifestyle” music he set out to make—music that is exquisite on its own but can also set the scene for a coffee shop or hotel lounge, instantly generating a sophisticated mood.

Longtime fans will immediately recognize in all of Botti’s albums and performances his glowing tone and regal melodicism, as well as his flair for investing the narrative of a song with high drama and vibrant emotion. “There’s a cinematic quality that I like to hear in music, and that I’ve found that audiences really love,” he says.

Chris Botti has found the perfect environment for his artistic rebirth at the legendary Blue Note—both the record label and the iconic club, a standard-bearer of jazz throughout its storied history. He enjoys a multi-month residency there each year and spends the rest of his time touring the world’s premier concert halls and theaters.

Middle C Jazz is honored to present Chris Botti and his exceptional band in a rare, intimate performance, giving Charlotte a chance to experience this masterful trumpeter up close. His ensemble includes:

Chris Botti on Trumpet
Lee Pearson on Drums
Dan Chmielinski on Bass
Leonardo Amuedo on Guitar
Julius Rodriguez on Piano
Anastasiia Mazurok on Violin
Veronica Swift on Vocals
John Splithoff on Vocals (also featured on Botti’s latest album)
Rusty Shaw on Audio

This highly anticipated show has been sold out for months. For those seeking world-class musicianship, upcoming performances by Keiko Matsui and Spyro Gyra in March offer excellent upcoming opportunities.

WEBSITE…

LISTEN: VOL 1, YOUTUBE…
LISTEN: CHRIS BOTTI AT THE BLUE NOTE, DURING HIS 19TH ANNUAL RESIDENCY…

Chris Botti honors Arturo Sandoval at his 2025 Lifetime Achievement Awards Ceremony, with a performance of “Smile”.