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| Botti doesn't disappoint |
Once again Chris Botti subdues his crowd into a jazz coma. And I mean that in a good way. He's got some new peeps on this one, save Billy Kilson & Lisa Fischer. Geoffrey Keezer on the piano, Assia Ahhatt from the Ukraine on violin, Carlitos Del Puerto on bass and (after much guesswork and google, I think) Leonardo Amuedo on guitar.
Venice
When I Fall In Love
Emmanuel
Flamenco Sketches
You Are Not Alone
Hallelujah
Look of Love
The Very Thought of You
Italia
Indian Summer
My Funny Valentine
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| The 10.30p crowd |
You just can't beat the Blue Note for jazz. It's easily the most intimate music joint around. Unpretentious, friendly and entirely New York. As I was standing outside with the 10.30p crowd waiting to get in, Greenwich Villagers walked by saying, "Someone good must be playing tonight." It was a perfect NYC night. Not too cold, no wind, overcast. After seeing a half-dozen Botti shows I will never again see him without an orchestra or outside of the Blue Note. He's good but once you hear him with the backing of strings, horns & reeds, there is no comparison. The Blue Note is the only place that can rival the monumental feel of an orchestra - because it's so intimate. If your only option is to see Botti with just his band - go. But if you can hop a flight an hour to see him with an orchestra or in NYC over Christmas, it's worth the trip.
Before hitting the Blue Note I drop by Barrio 47 in the West Village. I say West Village like I know the place when in truth I'm a lost soul in NYC. But that's the fun part, discovering. My pal & COO of Golden Boy Promotions David and his wife Kim's brother-in-law owns the joint. I had a couple drinks and the mussels. Yummy. It's a tiny place (albeit normal for NY) but adorable. I highly recomend. It's on the corner of 8th & West 4th.
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| Mussels @ Barrio 47 |
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| My seat |
Around 10.45p I make my way into the Blue Note. Table 7 on the end. Perfect. Great angle and I was on the isle. I couldn't have picked a better seat. The girl across from me was telling our table-mates how she was there for the 8.00p show. Kinda went on about the show, seemingly showing off her knowledge of Botti. "He does an homage to Miles Davis," she says. While I love exposing people to CB and my journeys, when hearing about my Year of Botti, it comes out as borderline stalking. So I kept my mouth shut.
Jeremy Plotnikoff, Botti's tour manager is doing his thing, setting up the stage, checking the drums. He walks by me and gives me a little kiss on the top of my head, "Hi Amy." I feel kind of like an ass that he recognized me, like I was just busted but it's sweet. I look over and see Bobby Colomby, Botti's manager, with some peeps on the upper level. He looks like he is having a good time. Hard not to at this show. Good gig repping Botti.
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| The sound quality at the Blue Note is amazing. |
I order a bottle of my favorite wine, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and sit back to enjoy. I'm actually surprised they have it. The Blue Note, while wildly popular for jazz is not know as a culinary or vinous mecca.
He opens not with his normal Ave Maria 90 second note-hold but instead with Venice. It's a little more upbeat. Better with the Latin feel of Carlitos and Leonardo.
Assia Ahhatt pops up in her gown for Emmanuel. She's dark & mysterious. The kind of woman who is beautiful but a little scary, who might lock you in cel with whips & chains, and you'd like it. Very Lucy Lawless a la Xena, Princess Warrior. God I hope she doesn't google herself and find this blog. I have a feeling she could kick the shit out of me.
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| Botti & band |
One of the best surprises was Botti's rendition of Michael Jackson's You Are Not Alone with Leonardo. So soulful but subtle. It was by far my favorite song of the night, might be my favorite, to date. He mentioned at the m&g this song would be on the new album. If all the other songs sucked I'd still pay $14.95 for that song alone. Yeah, Ms. Zoffee actually got teary-eyed but I blame the Chateauneuf and the wafting musk of someone near me. I don't cry. At least not that you know.
About 1/2 way thru the set I look behind me at the bar. It's packed. Packed! I am surprised that it's that crowded at 11.00p on a Monday night. It's a testament to Botti's drawing power. Even though he's doing a 2+ week stint at the Blue Note, NYC can't get enough of him. There were a couple of empty seats at the table on the side behind the stage but that's about it. Earlier in his run the tickets are a little cheaper than later. I paid more for my wine that the ticket.
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| Lisa Fischer belts it out |
Lisa Fischer belts out Look of Love. It's one of my favorite songs but honestly when Botti & Fischer perform it, I think it's too fast. I've said that before so my critique is no surprise. Better slower. It's like they can't keep up with their own pace. Rushing. But to each his own. I'm sure most people love it. I'm just a whiny, ungrateful bitch.
Fischer has an amazing range. It's shown off by Italia, better known sung by Andrea Bocelli. It's not my favorite on the setlist but still brings a standing ovation by some in the crowd. She's so beautiful & talented. I've seen her in that dress before and all I can think of is, she's got to have on Spanks because there isn't a body part out of place! Ah, the things girls notice.
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| Cicely Tyson's birthday |
Guest star of the night, Cicely Tyson. She is so tiny. Great looking lady, spunky. Botti gave a very warm welcome and we all sang Happy Birthday while the manager brought her a cake. Hard to tell by the pic but that's her in the back.
The night ended with My Funny Valentine. It was a short set but packed with energy and emotional tones. Botti caps off the evening by greeting his guests upstairs with pictures and autographs. There are probably 25 people up there. I wait about 10 minutes and Botti takes a photo with yours truly. After, Jeremy asks me about my buddy Mick Treadwell. I have a feeling Micky chatted me up a bit more than I deserved. Jeremy is a kind soul, warm smile. I have no idea how he handles the traveling schedule but kudos to him. What a way to see the world, 10-fold.
I head back to the Washington Square Hotel for a couple hours sleep before hopping on a flight back to Vegas & my haunt at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. God WSG has great sheets & robes. Short trip. Perfect trip. City to city 27 hours. I'm typing this on my MacBook Air and am glad to see Delta has an outlet because I've only got 41 minutes of power left. Too bad both outlets in my row don't work. Bastard. Where's an ethernet cord when I need it. (End note: the flight attendant fixed it; he turned on the outlet. Jackpot! I'm glad I asked.)
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| The Year of Botti |
My Year of Botti has come to a close; bookends at the Blue Note. I had an amazing time and am so grateful I had the means, time and opportunity for this spectacular journey. In the end I learned to appreciate my life much more than I could ever appreciate the sounds from Botti's trumpet but then that was the goal - find truth in myself thru music. Thanks to the many restaurants, hotels, plane rides, cabs, bars, symphony halls & concert venues who took such great care of me along the way. And to Chris, Jeremy, Billy, Mark and the entire Botti crew, thank you for a sensational trip. I owe you one. Cheers. -Amy
