Trumpet triumph: Botti continues to soar

Trumpeter Chris Botti will appear for two shows at The Birchmere in Alexandria this week. -- Courtesy Photo

ALEXANDRIA — Think of Chris Botti as the Mick Jagger of trumpeters.

Although the 46-year old Botti is almost two decades younger than the Rolling Stones' frontman, he's built a golden reputation that few other musicians enjoy.

"Everything is going great," said Botti, now touring behind his latest release "Italia," noting his set list is anything but staid. "During our shows, we call stuff on the fly. We mix it up. People will come up [after a show] and say 'Wow. I saw the set last night and that is completely different.'"

And to hear Botti tell it, that diversity is what makes him happy. Born in Portland, Botti's mother, a classically trained pianist and part-time piano teacher, exposed him to music at an early age. At age 11 he found the music of Miles Davis and never looked back as he pursued a music career practicing countless hours striving to improve.

"The thing about my personality now is no different than it was when I was 11," he said. "I was always very, very passionate and oriented."

So passionate, in fact, that he practiced every day for just shy of three years. The payoff includes everything from a Grammy Award, to top-charting albums and seemingly endless kudos and collaborations with musicians ranging from Dean Martin to Sting. The one partnering he arguably cherishes most came about when he was a senior in college — playing back up for Sinatra during a two-week engagement at Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles.

"I came to sound check and there was Sinatra," said Botti, who was paid a reported $200 for the work. "I could see my life passing before me ... .To me, he was 20 feet tall."

And now, many may feel the same about Botti.

"It's exciting the way the trumpeter keeps setting the bar higher for himself, and fun to ponder where the road takes him next," wrote Jonathan Widran for Jazz Monthly. "But for now, Viva Italia!"

Even Botti, who gave up his New York home and has no permanent address due to heavy touring, isn't sure where that road will take him. But his main goal, he said, remains unchanged.

"My ultimate goal, the most important goal, is to keep improving as a trumpet player," he said. "That sounds like a cliché, but it's true. I play so much better than I did 10 years ago, 20 years ago, I'm excited to continue. All the other stuff will take care of itself."

If you go
Chris Botti
Where: The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
Info: $49.50; 202-397-7328; ticketmaster.com