“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Chris Botti perform many times and he is truly one of the most gifted musicians on the planet,” said promoter Don Sharp. “His music covers many genres and should appeal to any person who enjoys beautiful music of any type. I am so excited to see Chris and his band perform for the first time ever in Visalia and at the acoustically wonderful Fox!”
The concert will benefit Finish the Fox, the arm of the nonprofit Friends of the Fox that works to maintain and improve the historic theater.
Botti, raised in Portland, Oregon, and educated musically at Indiana University, has studied with such notables as David Baker, Bill Adam, jazz trumpeter Woody Shaw and jazz saxophonist George Coleman. Botti has said that he committed to the trumpet after hearing Miles Davis’ brooding and melancholy interpretation of “My Funny Valentine.”
“At that moment, I thought, ‘I want to be a trumpet player for the rest of my life,’” he said.
He moved to New York to begin his career, playing sometimes on the streets and subways, and has ended up traveling the world pursing his love of the trumpet and genre-defying musical expressions. Today, he is the top-selling jazz artist in the world, has been nominated for several Grammy awards and has sold more than three million albums worldwide.
“Impressions,” Botti’s latest album, earned him a 2013 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental. He has earned legions of fans around the world for his charm and appeal and just plain fun on stage, as well as the respect of numerous musical artists with whom he has worked.
Tickets are $39, $49, $59 and $83, and include a $4 restoration fee that goes to the Fox. Tickets are available at foxvisalia.org, at the theater box office at 308 W. Main St., Visalia, or by calling 625-1369.