2008 Woodie Awards
Chris Botti lights up the Bradley Building
Jennifer Jelenic
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
On Saturday, September 25, Chris Botti and his band kicked off the Kruger Fine Arts Series at the Bradley Auditorium. The performance was a mesmerizing journey through smooth trumpeting, electric guitar solos, and a bumpin' drum beat.
The band went on just after 7:30 and played without pause for almost two hours. The pace of the performance was exciting, mesmerizing at times, and enchanting. Botti handled his trumpet with ease, grace, and commandment with the accompaniment of talented musicians. Each of the four other performers took time to demonstrate their talents, giving the audience a wonderful example of how jazz musicians are best when left to improvise.
Botti was the first to solo, blowing the pure sound from his trumpet high into the room. The style of lead guitarist Jon Ossman, brings to mind the wizardry of Eddie Van Halen, while bass player Shane Fontaune, clad in hipster fashion, laid down that low tone that is signature to jazzy sounds. Keyboardist Frederico Pena went out on a couple of Jethro Tull/ Pink Floyd-like tangents, moving frantically between four different keyboard instruments to produce a kaleidoscope of melodies reminiscent of 1970s acid rock. Finally, drummer Billy Kilson kicked a complex solo beat even Phil Collins would be proud of.
One of the many highlights was when Botti invited the children in the audience up to the front row, where he serenaded one lucky, young fan. Following the performance, Botti sat patiently signing CDs, posing for countless pictures, and talking with the crowd gathered around him. There was a vibrant buzz in the air; and the spectators seemed to have left with a positive charge.
Aside from performing at Lakeland College, I believe Botti came to deliver a simple message to all aspiring musicians. Follow your dreams; even an undiscovered trumpeter can end up living next to his life long idol, jazz legend Miles Davis.
The band went on just after 7:30 and played without pause for almost two hours. The pace of the performance was exciting, mesmerizing at times, and enchanting. Botti handled his trumpet with ease, grace, and commandment with the accompaniment of talented musicians. Each of the four other performers took time to demonstrate their talents, giving the audience a wonderful example of how jazz musicians are best when left to improvise.
Botti was the first to solo, blowing the pure sound from his trumpet high into the room. The style of lead guitarist Jon Ossman, brings to mind the wizardry of Eddie Van Halen, while bass player Shane Fontaune, clad in hipster fashion, laid down that low tone that is signature to jazzy sounds. Keyboardist Frederico Pena went out on a couple of Jethro Tull/ Pink Floyd-like tangents, moving frantically between four different keyboard instruments to produce a kaleidoscope of melodies reminiscent of 1970s acid rock. Finally, drummer Billy Kilson kicked a complex solo beat even Phil Collins would be proud of.
One of the many highlights was when Botti invited the children in the audience up to the front row, where he serenaded one lucky, young fan. Following the performance, Botti sat patiently signing CDs, posing for countless pictures, and talking with the crowd gathered around him. There was a vibrant buzz in the air; and the spectators seemed to have left with a positive charge.
Aside from performing at Lakeland College, I believe Botti came to deliver a simple message to all aspiring musicians. Follow your dreams; even an undiscovered trumpeter can end up living next to his life long idol, jazz legend Miles Davis.
Be the first to comment on this story