Columbia Records Set to Release 'Chris Botti In Boston,' the New Live CD & DVD Collections Capturing the Chart-Topping Jazz Trumpeter's Star-Studded Concerts at the Landmark Boston Symphony Hall

On Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19, 2008, American jazz trumpeter Chris Botti, one of the world's top-selling instrumental artists, invited an extraordinary variety of musical artists -- including Sting, Josh Groban, Steven Tyler, Yo-Yo Ma, John Mayer, Katharine McPhee, Lucia Micarelli, and Sy Smith -- to join him on-stage with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra for a pair of once-in-a-lifetime concerts, produced by Bobby Colomby and directed by Jim Gable, at Boston's historic Symphony Hall, one of the world's most exquisite performance venues.

A master artist and performer, Botti, who's sold nearly three million albums worldwide, worked closely with an unparalleled roster of the world's greatest musicians, drawing from a wide-ranging repertoire of pop, jazz, and classical music to create a series of aesthetically rewarding performances and two-night's worth of unforgettable concert experiences. Chris Botti In Boston, an extraordinarily luxurious film of the two-night event, captures and accentuates the warmth, excitement, chemistry and spontaneity of the shows.

The CD version of Chris Botti In Boston features Botti along with his special guests and core band -- Billy Childs (piano), Billy Kilson (drums), Mark Whitfield (guitar), and Robert Hurst (bass) -- performing definitive versions of "Ave Maria," "When I Fall In Love," "Seven Days," "Emmanuel," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Cinema Paradiso," "Broken Vow," "Flamenco Sketches," "Glad To Be Unhappy," "Hallelujah," "Smile," "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You," and "Time To Say Goodbye."

The full-concert DVD and Blu-ray configurations of Chris Botti In Boston include the bonus performances of "Caruso," "The Look of Love," "Cryin'," "Indian Summer," and "Shape of My Heart" in addition to an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary chronicling the making-of-the-concert as well as a deeply resonant performance of "Fragile" unavailable anywhere else. In addition, the Blu-ray configuration features Dolby TrueHD audio providing master quality, high-resolution, 7.1 surround sound.

Following the exclusive televised premiere of Chris Botti In Boston during PBS's March Pledge Drive, Columbia Records will release the concert extravaganza in three configurations -- CD, a CD/DVD package and a Blu-ray edition -- on Tuesday, March 31.

Chris Botti In Boston is a visionary expansion of, and worthy successor to, the artist's first PBS pledge drive special, "Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests." Originally aired on PBS during March Pledge Week 2006, Botti's first television special became a perennial pledge drive favorite nationwide while a DVD of that show has achieved RIAA platinum status.

About Chris Botti

Trumpeter Chris Botti is a gifted instrumentalist, a talented composer, and a charismatic performer who -- since the release of his first solo album in 1995 -- has created a series of recordings which have made him one of the world's top-selling instrumental artists. Drawing from the worlds of pop, jazz, classical and other genres, Botti created his own signature sound, transforming the world of contemporary jazz while simultaneously finding success in the pop music sphere. Praised for the warmth and complexity of his tone and musical ideas, Botti combines a soulful ambience with naturally flowing improvisation. He has earned both critical acclaim and mainstream appreciation for a succession of best-selling albums including When I Fall In Love (2004, #1 Top Jazz Album, #37 Billboard Top 200), To Love Again: The Duets (2005, #1 Top Jazz Album, #18 Billboard Top 200), and Chris Botti Live with Orchestra & Special Guests (2006, #2 Top Jazz Album).

Botti's association with Sting -- who appeared with the trumpeter on To Love Again and When I Fall In Love -- dates back to 1999, when Chris joined music legend's band as featured soloist on the "Brand New Day" tour, which lasted two years.

In the studio and on stage, Chris Botti has worked with such leading singer-songwriter/composers as Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell as well as renowned film composer John Barry, among others; as a sideman, he has appeared on dozens of albums, compilations and soundtracks.

In addition to receiving an RIAA gold-certification for When I Fall In Love in 2004 and To Love Again (both produced by Bobby Colomby) in 2005, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" (with vocals by Sting) earned a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals.

Released in 2007, Italia, Chris Botti's most recent studio album, links the worlds of jazz and pop and classical music in a suite of songs and music inspired by the romance of Italy. Featuring duets with Andrea Bocelli, Paula Cole and Dean Martin, Italia is rapidly approaching the RIAA gold record sales mark.

One of the world's most popular concert attractions, Chris Botti maintains one of the busiest touring schedules monitored by the industry. Performing more than 250 concerts this past year, Chris's 2008 concert itinerary included concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and New York's Carnegie Hall.

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SOURCE: Columbia Records

CONTACT: Fran Curtis, Rogers & Cowan, +1-212-445-8423,
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