Chris Botti
21st February 2018
Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Lara Marie. Photography by Chris Zwaagdyk.
Clad in a dark blue suit with his famed trumpet in hand, critically acclaimed jazz instrumentalist and Grammy Award winner Chris Botti stormed New Zealand’s shores for the first time last night with his worldwide tour ‘An Evening with Chris Botti’ at Takapuna’s wonderful Bruce Mason Centre.
Chris Botti has been selling out theatres and working with the likes of Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Sting, and even Frank Sinatra for over two decades now, and for the past four years has been touring the world with his own band; and Auckland, New Zealand has the privilege of being the very last stop. Audience members of all ages packed in to the theatre to see both Botti and the multitude of artists he has brought along for the ride, each one just as talented as the next. Joining Botti tonight in an absolutely star studded musical line up were the likes of Grammy Award nominated composer and pianist, Geoffrey Keezer, bassist Richie Goods and singer/songwriter Sy Smith. On drums is the funky Lee Pearsons who is joined by guitarist Leonardo Amuedo and the renowned violinist Sandy Cameron. Spread throughout the two hour set of Botti’s enchanting and delightfully robust ballads, each guest performer had the chance to showcase their own talents during a solo performance.
Drummer Lee Pearsons quickly had the audience up on their feet with his powerful and innovative drum solo and he took this as an opportunity for a little bit of showmanship by illustrating how he can continue to play the skins with both arms wrapped around his back; if that wasn’t impressive enough he then threw his sticks up in the air and caught them perfectly without even a glance. When it came to the performances of both Sy Smith and Sandy Cameron the word powerful immediately sprang to mind as they had each and every audience member in complete awe of their fiery stage presence.
The acrobatic and agile Sandy Cameron may have physically been the smallest in stature on stage, but her execution was certainly one of the biggest of the night as she leapt and bound across the room as if in a feisty and determined battle with her instrument. However, Sy Smith, adorned in pearls and a figure hugging navy blue satin number joined Botti not on the stage, but from within the audience for a jaw-dropping performance that brilliantly showcased Smith’s soprano vocal range; making it very clear to all as to why the singer is known as ‘The Underground Queen of R&B and Soul.’
Throughout the night, audience members found themselves laughing just as much as they were applauding the musical brilliance that was on display due to Botti’s unprecedented charisma and charm. Pausing to converse, shake hands and even perform trumpet renditions of happy birthday to audience members throughout the night the venue transformed into an intimate and friendly setting; removing the mental – and often physical – barrier between musician and fan.
It’s plain to see that not only does Chris Botti have an excellent relationship with his audience, but with his fellow band members as well. He is often witnessed chatting, poking fun at, and laughing along with his colleagues throughout the evening, even stopping to acknowledge that in his personal opinion, there is nothing worse than band members who don’t get along.
Before Botti and his band bid their farewells, he makes one final request; “Turn this lovely theatre into a dingy little New York City jazz club!” There was no denying that Botti and co certainly achieved that and much, much more this evening; Botti and his band members taking the audience from jazz standards to bluesy rock; classical through to soul ballads while interspersing stunning piano and funky drum and bass pieces along the way; each and every moment leaving the audience wondering what the band was going to surprise them with next.
Chris Botti is arguably one the greatest current trumpeters in the world and when he’s on stage with a plethora of equally talented musicians like he is this evening it truly is a musical force to be reckoned with. Botti claims that his only possessions are six suits and his trumpet because frankly that is all that he needs. With the way he performed tonight, I don’t see this changing anytime soon.
Were you there at the Bruce Mason Centre for this magnificent jazz gig? Or have you seen Chris Botti perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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