Concert
Review - Chris Botti - Glenora Wine Cellars, Upstate
New York - August 22, 2004
by Francoise Morissette, roving
reporter for the Wave 94.7. morissette@sympatico.ca
Every summer, the winery puts on two Smooth Jazz
events which have proven very popular over the years.
Set in the beautiful Finger Lakes district, Glenora
offers stunning vistas, a comfortable atmosphere
and seamless logistics: they even allow you to offload
lawn chairs,
picnic baskets and coolers before parking the car.
The
weather cooperated: plenty of sunshine, blue skies
and a soft breeze: made to order. The festivities
opened with Syracuse's ESP who delivered a dynamic
set, featuring several tunes from their new release:
"Uptown Express". The band energized
the audience with their bluesy, rollicking compositions,
including "Passport Martino", a glorious
tribute to guitarist Pat Martino.
In
a special effort to acknowledge Botti, the winery
produced a limited edition Chardonnay packaged
in trumpet-shaped bottles. This touching gesture
came to a high during intermission when a bottle
was auctioned to provide a music scholarship at
the local high school. Botti was very supportive
of this initiative, thanking the buyer and emphasizing
the importance of music education.
The
trumpeter attracted the largest crowd in the history
of the winery's summer series. After seeing his
performance, one understands why. The first bars
of the opening number draw you into the refined,
atmospheric cocoon he so deftly creates with subtle
layers of texture. His distinctive sound seeps
into consciousness and you gradually become engaged,
engrossed and enthralled. A mixture of power and
vulnerability, Botti's music breeds a sense of
reverence and fosters reflection.
Like
a magician, Chris beckons you in a zone where
music can make you feel happy and sad… at
the same time. His trumpet tugs at your heart,
insinuating, insistent and irresistible: "Listen
to me, the voice of peace and harmony in the chaos
of war and violence. Dare to go in and touch your
pain, for only then can healing begin."
So
the emotional journey rolls on, hovering over
the edge. Leonard Cohen's "A thousand kisses
deep" evoked longing so intense, you felt
plunged into a river of sadness, loneliness, and
unfulfilled yearning. Cohen would have been proud…
The
trumpeter seems fuelled by endless breath over
which he has total control. This enables him to
create a myriad of effects. In "Miami Overnight",
he simulates the 5am, staggering back to the hotel
after a night of partying atmosphere. You can
almost experience the bleary eyed tiredness, the
eeriness of walking on deserted streets, the confusion
and the displacement.
"My
funny Valentine" was dedicated to Miles Davis,
the man who changed Botti's life.
When he was twelve in his native Oregon, Chris
heard Miles Davis for the first time, an experience
that convinced him to embark on a jazz career.
Years later, when moving to New York City, the
trumpeter found a place which overlooked Miles'
apartment across a courtyard. For four years,
he felt protected and influenced by the nearness
of the master.
The
song exuded pure, undiluted love. For a while,
we were suspended in mid-air, floating in a bubble
of exquisite tenderness. Keyboardist Frederico
Peña's sensitive performance and original
arrangements greatly added to the delight. "My
funny Valentine" was a moment of grace…
Botti
interspersed these reflective numbers with fast
and fiery ones during which the band showcased
their almost acrobatic virtuosity. Innovative
drummer Billy Kilson dazzled and base player John
Haussman supported the sound. Unfortunately, the
same cannot be said of guitarist Mark Shaulman,
the only one clashing with the overall intent
and effect.
Botti
wrote "Alone in the City" after a difficult
break up. Sitting in his apartment for 3 days,
he poured his angst into the music, feeling estranged
in a city of 9 million people. The piece overflows
with grief, recreating the shock of abandonment
and the accompanying rage, misery and unanswered
questions. Botti's acute sensitivity connects
us to the commonality of the human condition,
and we emerge more compassionate.
Botti
was nominated one of the top 50 most beautiful
in the world by People Magazine in 2004. This
confirms that he is both the artist and the art.
On Sunday, people wanted to catch and capture
a glimpse… Cameras were out in force, and
he graciously cooperated.
His
career has been enormously successful: a side
man to famous stars like Sting, Paul Simon and
Joni Mitchell, he has a big following internationally.
He co-hosted on Caroline Rhea's where his easy
rapport with the audience and quick wit shone.
He now boasts his own syndicated radio show: "Chill
out with Chris Botti", airing every week
on Smooth Jazz stations. A new album with the
London Symphony Orchestra is due on September
28, featuring well-known classics. He has scored
movies and actually ended his performance on Sunday
with the theme from "Caught", a prayerful,
meditative piece.
When Botti plays, hope and peace are renewed…
a rare gift.
| Quotesf |
- "He
sat in with my band a couple of times. Chris
is great. We played together on the same
stage in San Diego. We're going to try to
get him on my next project. He's a good
friend he's really turned into a good friend
over the years. He's a real music guy and
that's what I like. He loves it. He eats,
sleeps, breaths music just like me so I
love that." - Steve
Oliver
on Chris Botti |
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