Award-winning American jazz trumpeter, Christopher Stephen Botti, known to millions of his jazz music fans as Chris Botti is excited to once again thrill his South African music fans with his brand of timeless music, which has, for the past 30 years, seen him tour South Africa more than once.
Having worked with iconic music legends including Paul Simon, Hugh Masekela and many other African and global musicians, Botti has promised his SA fans an epic show as one of the many local and international stars earmarked for this year’s Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival (SBJOJ).
This year, the country’s leading jazz festival also referred to as SBJOJ will be celebrating 25 years lighting up various stages with quality-driven jazz musicians at the Sandton Convention Centre from September 27 and 28.
He is part of the more than 50 world class musicians, from more than 10 countries who will be treating jazz music lovers to various styles of jazz across five stages in two days.
Speaking to The Star this week, Botti who is no stranger to SA, having visited and performed here since 1991, having last visited SA just over 10 years ago said performing in South Africa has always been an epic event.
“The first time I visited South Africa was in 1991. Since then, I have been in South Africa at least six times. It has always been an epic and thrilling experience performing in South Africa and I look forward to performing in the country once again. I know that some of the people I have had the pleasure to perform with have left us, including Hugh Masekela. I know that it is going to be fun to be part of Joy of Jazz,” he said.
Botti who won a Grammy award in 2013 for his instrumental jazz album, titled Impressions says even though winning a Grammy gives musicians an edge, it does not do much if one does not continuously hone their craft.
For him, the biggest achievement over the past 30 years has been able to perform in front of appreciative audiences, across the globe.
“Winning a Grammy is undeniably great, but in reality, the real Grammy is being able to perform in front of people who show up continuously for your work. I am grateful that over the last 30 years, I have had a career that has allowed me to do just that,” he said.
Botti will perform at the Dinaledi stage where he will be sharing the stage alongside trumpet giants such as UK based producer and hornsman, Matthew Halsall, South Africa’s very own Feya Faku; the current jazz category Standard Bank Young Artist (SBYA) awardee, trumpeter Darren English, featuring virtuoso pianist, and Kenny Banks Jr (USA), among many others.
The festival will showcase jazz music accents from the African continent, Europe, east Asia, and the Americas to weave a truly global vision of jazz as a world unifying musical idiom.
Botti who began his career at a young age has become a major figure in contemporary music, having garnered experience working with great vocalists after touring with Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, and Joni Mitchell.
Early in his career, Botti spent a decade performing and recording with the legendary singer and songwriter, touring behind his smash hit Rhythm of the Saints album and appearing with Simon at New York’s Central Park in 1991 in a horn section also including saxophone master Michael Brecker.
Botti who is familiar with various jazz sounds had great things to say about the SA version of jazz saying having travelled the globe as a musician, South Africa has great jazz talent.
“I might not be clued up about the current jazz scene in South Africa, but I have great appreciation for the talent in the country having worked and toured with many other jazz musicians from South Africa. I guess my visit to South Africa will help me as I am looking to explore the scene during my visit there,“ he said.
siyabonga.sithole@inl.co.za