Artist: Chris Botti

Chris Botti is an American trumpeter and composer. 

In 2013, Botti won the Grammy Award in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category, for the album Impressions. He was also nominated in 2008 for his album Italia and received three nominations in 2010 for the live album Chris Botti in Boston. Four of his albums have reached the No. 1 position on the Billboard jazz albums chart. 

Coming to prominence with the 2001 recording of his Night Sessions album, Botti established a reputation as a versatile musician in both jazz and pop music for his ability to fuse the styles together. 

Botti studied under jazz educator David Baker and trumpet professor Bill Adam at the Indiana University School of Music. Botti was also the recipient of two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts which allowed him to study with trumpeter Woody Shaw and saxophonist George Coleman during two consecutive summer breaks. 

Botti left Indiana University during his senior year for short touring stints with Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich.  In 1985, he moved to New York City to hone his craft as a studio musician. In 1990, he began a decade long touring and recording relationship with Paul Simon which broadened his exposure to other singers. During that period, he also performed/ recorded with Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, Scritti Politti, Roger Daltrey and others. 

Botti's solo debut, First Wish, was released in 1995; his second effort, Midnight Without You, which included a collaboration with Blue Nile vocalist Paul Buchanan, appeared in 1997. These were followed by Slowing Down the World in 1999, which included vocal contributions from Sting and Jonatha Brooke (also on the Midnight Without You release).