GRAMMY award-winning jazz trumpeter and composer Chris Botti will take the stage at UNCG Auditorium on Friday, November 3rd, for a spectacular start to the UNC Greensboro Concert and Lecture Series (UCLS).
Since the release of his 2004 critically acclaimed CD, When I Fall In Love, Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist. His success has crossed over to audiences usually reserved for pop music, and his ongoing association with PBS has led to four #1 jazz albums, as well as multiple Gold, Platinum, and Grammy Awards. Botti’s album, Impressions, won the Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental.
Trumpet Professor Garrett Klein says the concert will be a treat for the community:
“Mr. Botti’s playing transcends genres and has broad appeal. I think everyone who is a music lover should go to this concert – there will be something for everyone. Don’t miss this concert!”
In addition to public presentations, every artist in the concert and lecture series does important work with UNCG students, such as holding masterclasses and seminars, often just hours before performing on stage.
Klein is excited for students to have the opportunity to learn from Botti:
“His trumpet playing is just gorgeous He has one of the best sounds of anyone out there and his musicianship is something special. I know our music students are going to enjoy working with him and hearing what he has to say about how he built his incredible career.”
Over the past three decades, Botti has recorded and performed worldwide with the best in music, including Sting, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Josh Groban, Yo-Yo Ma, Michael Bublé, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, John Mayer, Andrea Bocelli, Joshua Bell, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, and even Frank Sinatra. Hitting the road for as many as 300 days per year, the trumpeter has also performed with many of the finest symphonies and at some of the world’s most prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House and the Real Teatro di San Carlo in Italy.
School of Music Director Charles Young is thrilled that Botti is coming to campus:
“The UNC Greensboro Concert and Lecture Series is one of the great treasures of the Triad. As the longest running series of its kind in North Carolina, we bring world-class performers like Chris Botti to our stages to entertain, to educate, and to enlighten us all.”
Chris Botti is appearing at UNCG thanks to the generous support of UCLS Sponsors: Presenting Sponsors Joseph M. Bryan, Jr. and the Cemala Foundation; Hospitality Sponsor Quaintance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels; Underwriting Sponsor Well-Spring; and Media Sponsor Our State Magazine.
Upcoming UCLS events include singer songwriter Jewel, Jazz Musicians Marcus Printup and Tim Warfield, Photographer Lalla Essaydi, and Garth Fagan Dance Company.
Tickets are still available at ucls.uncg.edu. All student tickets (regardless of school) are $7.50 each, and all UNCG faculty and staff may purchase tickets for $25 each. These student, faculty, and staff ticket prices are good for all UCLS events.
Story by Terri W Relos
Photo courtesy of William Morris Endeavor Agency