By Jim Santella |
 Discuss
    |
The holidays are upon us, and it's a time of year to enjoy and reflect. Chris
Botti employs a pure, golden, open trumpet tone to invite the proper mood.
Strings and various veteran jazz artists accompany him in a program that
emphasizes winter's still, melodic majesty. His muted trumpet pulls
”Hallelujah” serenely forward to the still accompaniment of guitar and
bass. It's a pensive moment. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” moves
joyfully to a gentle, acoustic samba accompaniment. Bob Sheppard's
tenor steps forward with a few magical phrases. Both he and Botti infuse
more creative improvisation into this one than on the rest of the program.
It must be the Latin influence. Billy Childs takes off on a hot, improvised
piano interlude during “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” that would
melt Frosty's round features. Dave Carpenter's introduction to “Winter
Wonderland” sets up a lovely walk in the park, hayride and all. You can
just smell that fresh air. Anthony Wilson and pianist Childs provide a
swinging landscape that urges Botti to explore the improvising jazz
spectrum more than elsewhere. Vinnie Colaiuta's stirring introduction to
”The Little Drummer Boy” sparks an avalanche that cascades into a fiery,
contemporary jazz arrangement.
Botti and his band are on top of this one, with the Christmas tree all lit up. The trumpeter balances the program with simmering ballads. His outstanding album takes the many moods of the holiday season into consideration. Botti also sings, and his youthful, boy-next-door manner becomes rather persuasive. It's humbling: makes you stop for a little while and consider that we live in an age where tradition is still respected, and freedom includes the desire to let the creative juices flow naturally. It was quite considerate of Chris Botti to remember this when he assembled this perfect Christmas gift for all of us.
Visit Chris Botti on the web.
Chris Botti at All About Jazz.
Track listing: The Christmas Song; The First Noel; Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow;
Hallelujah; Perfect Day; Santa Claus is Coming to Town; O Little Town of
Bethlehem; Winter Wonderland; The Little Drummer Boy; Hark! The
Herald Angels Sing; Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas; Silent Night;
I�ll Be Home For Christmas.
Personnel: Chris Botti- trumpet, trumpet & vocal on �Perfect Day� and �Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas;� Billy Childs- piano, Fender Rhodes; C.J. Vanston- synth, piano, organ; Anthony Wilson, Shane Fontayne, Heitor Pereira- guitar; David Carpenter, Jon Ossman, Jimmy Haslip- bass; Peter Erskine- drums, percussion; Vinnie Colaiuta- drums; Bob Sheppard- alto flute, tenor saxophone; Brandon Fields- tenor saxophone; John J. Wittenberg, Gina Kronstadt, Susan Chatman, Joel G. Derouin- violin; Andrew E. Picken- viola; Mary Anne Steinberger- cello; Richard Marx- background vocals.
Style: Mainstream/Bop/Hard Bop/Cool |
Published: December 02, 2002
| More Holiday Reviews
- More reviews of Chris Botti's December
More Articles by Jim Santella
 |
Steve Tyrell This Time Of The Year |
 |
The Skip Heller Quartet Homegoing |
 |
Dan McMillion Jazz Orchestra Up Your Brass |
 |
Tom Kubis Big Band A Jazz Musician's Christmas |
 |
Jodi Stevens Girl Talk |
 |
Barbara Carroll One Morning in May |
|
Most Read: CD Reviews Last 30 Days | All Time |
Most Read: Articles Last 30 Days | All Time |
Upcoming events for Chris Botti:
