The last quarter of 2023 saw the release of Chris Botti’s new Vol.1 CD. This album was the trumpet star’s first release in more than eleven years. Vol.1 was produced by David Foster, who came out of retirement to support his old friend and collaborator. Vol.1 can be described as a sophisticated musical project totally devoted to classic jazz. Botti’s main influences were, among others, the legendary Miles Davis and Bill Evans. Those giants were honored with beautiful renditions of evergreens which included “Someday My Prince Will Come,” “My Funny Valentine” and “Blue In Green.”

The nocturne mood of the album was perfectly served by Foster, with his refined touch in the producer’s seat. Foster’s skill and experience added to the magnificent instrumental performances by Botti and all the stellar musicians involved. This CD was evidence of Botti’s genius musicianship, while highlighting the fact that Foster’s talent knows no boundaries with his peerless ability to craft music for pop, rock, soul/r&b and even traditional jazz.

There’s a song on Vol.1 titled “Paris” that’s closer to the Hitman’s pop sensibilities and is the song for this week.

An original composition written and sung by a remarkable young artist named John Splithoff, “Paris” can be called a spectacular romantic ballad with an irresistible bossa nova feel. Splithoff’s smooth voice created the perfect compliment to Botti’s mellow trumpet playing. Top musicians included Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Taylor Eigsti on piano and Leonardo Amuedo on guitar. They made “Paris” and Vol.1 a killer and a must listen like Impressions before it.

• Trumpet: Chris Botti
• Vocals: John Splithoff
• Bass: Zach Moses
• Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
• Guitar: Leonardo Amuedo & Shane Fontayne
• Piano: Taylor Eigsti
• Strings: Patrick Warren

• Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Pour me one more glass of wine before we say goodnight
And lay beside me underneath the stars
And won’t you kiss me one more time before this wine goes to my head
And I wake tomorrow wondering who you are

Because I don’t know your name
And you don’t know my story
But if the wine is the one to blame
Then let’s greet the early morning
Because it’s getting late in Ile St Louis
And it’s only you and me
But the city’s made for passing lovers
Loving leisurely

In a place like this
On a night like this
With someone like you to kiss
Words are meaningless

In a place like this
On a night like this
With someone like you to kiss
Words are meaningless

Won’t you
Pour me one more glass of wine before we say goodnight
And lay beside me underneath the stars
And won’t you kiss me one more time before this wine goes to my head
And I wake tomorrow wondering who you are

Because I don’t know your name
And you don’t know my story
But if the wine is the one to blame
Then let’s greet the early morning
Because it’s getting late in Ile St Louis
And it’s only you and me
But the city’s made for passing lovers
Loving leisurely

You and me in Paris
You and me in Paris
You and me in Paris
You and me in Paris

written by Eric Benet, Dean Parks & Danny Peck

Eric Benet’s “Hurricane” is the third album by the talented R&B singer/songwriter. Released in June 2005, it presented in its tracklist a handful of refined songs produced by David Foster and Humberto Gatica. Those tunes were recorded a couple of years earlier and, compared to Benet’s previous, modern R&B efforts, show a different side of the singer, more intimate and acoustic.

A good description could be a cross between Bill Withers and James Taylor with a jazzy twist. Let’s focus, in particular, on a special love song that Benet co-wrote for his daughter, India. “India” is truly a wonderful tune, co-written with legendary guitarist Dean Parks and veteran singer/songwriter Danny Peck, whose debut album in the Seventies was one of Foster’s first productions.
Musically it is a rarefied, mid-tempo moment founded on the delicate rhythms of Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Nathan East on bass with Parks’ acoustic guitar in the spotlight. The song’s mood and Benet’s outstanding vocal performance have strong echoes of Kenny Loggins’ work of the nineties on his refined adult contemporary albums, “Leap Of Faith” and “Unimaginable Life.” The ice on this classy cake is Chris Botti’s elegant trumpet solo that adds a delicious jazzy spin to the track. The production by Foster and Gatica is immaculate and the sounds an absolute listening pleasure.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/india.mp3|titles=India|artists=Eric Benet]

Lead Vocals: Eric Benet
Guitars: Dean Parks & Tim Pierce
Bass: Nathan East
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Trumpet Solo: Chris Botti

Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica
Co-Produced by Eric Benet

Lyrics
I got the biggest part of heaven in my life
And I can feel it every time I see your eyes
You’re my world, you’re my light
India

If I could you know I’d open every door
But your own journey makes it mean so much more
I believe in all your dreams
India

Down, you’ll never let me down
When you follow your own way
Speak the words only you would say
Keep reaching for your star
If won’t be far
When love’s behind you
You’re the miracle of life that love has made
This bond between the two of us will never break
Your flower blooms, I sing for you
India

You hold the universe inside your little hands
So don’t you listen if they just don’t understand you
When you try, you always fly
India

Yes baby
Keep reaching for your star
If won’t be far
I’m right behind you
I got the biggest part of heaven in my life
And I can feel it every time I see your eyes
You’re my world, you’re my light
India
I believe in all your dreams
India
When you try, you always fly
India, yes you do baby

written by Chris Botti, David Foster & Tiziano Ferro

After their successful collaboration on the title track of Botti’s last album “Italia,” Chris Botti and David Foster co-wrote another stunning piece for the trumpeter’s newly-released record “Impressions.” “Per Te (For You)”  is the new, beautiful song and. like on “Italia,” the magnificent voice of Andrea Bocelli sings the romantic lyrics written by Italian pop star Tiziano Ferro.

“Per Te (For You)” caresses the listeners with its soothing orchestral arrangement that supports Bocelli’s tender performance perfectly matched by Botti’s unique trumpet playing. Foster also makes an appearance on the album with a cover of “Summertime” performed as an intimate duo with the jazz superstar. It’s another gem that showcases Botti’s amazing talent as well as Foster’s perfectly understated piano performance.

“Impressions” represents the peak of Botti’s career so far and is chock full of amazing music including “Tango Suite” with Herbie Hancock that has strong echoes of Miles Davis’ classic stuff and the unique rendition of “What A Wonderful World” with special guest Mark Knopfler’s trademark voice and guitar. Other big names appearing on the record are country star Vince Gill, violinist Caroline Campbell and sessions aces like Vinnie Colaiuta, Ramon Stagnaro, David Hungate and Billy Childs. “Impressions” is another tour-de-force of bravura for the American trumpeter who beautifully fuses jazz with pop, classical and even country sounds with amazing results. This record immediately zoomed to the top of the jazz charts and in the Top 40 of Billboard’s Top 200.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/per_te.mp3|titles=Per te|artists=Chris Botti]

Trumpet: Chris Botti
Lead Vocal: Andrea Bocelli
Keyboards & Piano: David Foster
Guitar: Ramon Stagnaro

Strings Arrangement by William Ross

Arranged by David Foster
Produced by Bobby Colomby

Lyrics

Per te la notte veglierà se io non ci sarò,
per te che hai tramutato in vita ogni ferita mia.
Sarà come un’alba semplice
ogni giorno dei giorni insieme a te
e ci sorprenderà…
l’amore scandirà ogni giorno,
giorni insieme a te…

Chris Botti is probably the hottest names in contemporary jazz today. This talented American trumpet player/composer started his career in the late eighties as studio musician and eventually had his shot to fame, ten years later, when he joined Sting’s band.

In the meantime Botti also released a series of refined and successful solo records that put  in the spotlight his superior playing influenced by legends like Miles Davis and Chet Baker. As a natural consequence of his success, Botti started making guest appearances on various releases by popular singers and often those in David Foster’s camp. Foster, obviously impressed by Botti’s impressive talents, asked him to play his magical trumpet on albums by Michael Bublè, Eric Benet, Renee Olstead and Andrea Bocelli. The connection of Foster and Botti with Bocelli was also instrumental for the trumpet player’s 2007 album, “Italia.” Dedicated to his family’s roots, “Italia” is an elegant collection mostly based on Italian evergreens like “Estate,” “Caruso” and “Nessun Dorma.” The collection also presents a couple of gorgeous movies themes by Ennio Morricone and a few top notch covers of jazz classics. The title track is a beautiful orchestral ballad featuring Bocelli’s wonderful voice. The song was co-written by Botti with Foster who also provided the inspiring arrangement. The evocative lyrics came from Italian pop superstar Lorenzo Cherubini aka Jovanotti. This song and the whole album was produced by Bobby Colomby former drummer of the legendary Blood Sweat & Tears. It topped Billboard’s jazz chart and was also a top 30 on Billboard’s Top 200.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/italia.mp3|titles=Italia|artists=Chris Botti]

Trumpet: Chris Botti
Lead Vocals: Andrea Bocelli
Piano: David Foster
Acoustic Guitar: Dean Parks
Bass: Christian McBride
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta

Arranged by David Foster
Produced by Bobby Colomby

Lyrics

E’ passione forte
Che mi fa soffrire per amore ogni volta che io mi allontano so che noi ci apparteniamo ancora un po’ di più
la strada dove io
bambino resterò
dentro a questi sogni
di musica
libero di vivere
la vita che vorrei
la mia musica è per te immenso amore mio
questa melodia
nasce dentro me
sempre più
nostalgia
che ho di te
amara e
dolce
terra mia