It’s a rarity for a steeped-in-tradition jazz release that’s primarily instrumental to be certified a gold record, signifying sales of a half-million copies. But large numbers of listeners are buying what trumpeter Chris Botti is selling, and his meditative set of romantic balladry, “When I Fall in Love” (Columbia) recently was awarded the distinction more often handed down to teen pop divas and “controversial” rappers.
Botti, slated to play Coors Amphitheatre Aug. 27, believes that calming music sincerely performed always has held an appeal to a receptive audience.
“There’s no time stamp,” says Botti of the disc. “It was made like records were made 50 years ago.”
“Miles (Davis) made records like this with Gil Evans. Chet Baker and Wynton Marsalis did it too. To make those kinds of records with an orchestra is a jazz musician’s dream.”
It’s too soon to know if Botti’s disc will go down in jazz history as a mellow triumph along the lines of Clifford Brown’s or Baker’s ’50s horns-with-strings albums devised for late-night reflection. For now, he’s simply enjoying the unusual kind of fame for a jazz musician that allows him to be recognized at the airport.
Appearances on “Oprah” and NBC’s “Today Show” certainly haven’t hurt his prospects for popularity, and world tours as a band member for high-profile adult rockers like Paul Simon and Sting (who appears on “When I Fall in Love”) have made him visible to a more jazz-deficient audience.
Making the 2004 list of People magazine’s “Most Beautiful People” may have earned Botti some good-natured grief from his friends, but he admits that it assisted in getting that valuable TV face time.
“Most people don’t realize that now you sell records by getting on television,” he says. “Ninety-nine percent of TV shows will not have instrumentalists on, and I believe that they’re completely wrong about that.
“But when there’s something that’s pop-culture based (like making the People list), it gives the interviewers something to talk about.”
For a while, there was talk about his romantic involvement with “Today Show” co-host Katie Couric. “We’re not (dating) any more,” he says. “It was very difficult. She’s the busiest person on the planet, and I’m on the road 11 months a year.”
Botti just completed the follow-up to “When,” tentatively named “Still in Love,” due in October. It should help solidify his image as the sensitive, trumpet-toting, Chet Baker type.
He’s learned to accept the comparisons to Baker, but he’s vocal about his admiration for Davis as well.
“I look more like Chet than I do Miles,” Botti says with a laugh. “As far as people are comparing me (to Baker) in the way that I’m softening the sound of the trumpet, I’m completely flattered.”
Chris Botti performs as part of the Smooth Jazz 104.3 Summer Fest with Vanessa Williams, David Sanborn and Boney James, 4:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Coors Amphitheatre, 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village. Tickets are priced from $33.50-93.50. Go to CD1043.com for details.
Set list
Tina Phillips and Keith Waters collaborate at the Wazee Lounge and Supper Club Monday … Ron Miles and Nate Birkey co-headline this Friday and Saturday at Dazzle, and pianist Art Lande supports vocalist Sarah Leib at Dazzle on Aug. 25 … Colorado performers Lisa Bell, Dotsero and Anthony James Baker are scheduled to perform at the Keystone Wine, Jazz and Art Festival Aug. 27-28 at Keystone Resort … The Boulder Theater has revealed a terrific fall jazz lineup, including the Sun Ra Arkestra Sept. 16; the Pat Metheny Trio Sept. 27; Joshua Redman Oct. 9; and Charles Lloyd Oct. 21.
Bret Saunders’ column on jazz appears every other Sunday in A&E. Saunders is host of the “KBCO Morning Show,” 5:30-10 a.m. weekdays at 97.3-FM.
