07.06.12 Chris Botti @ Smith Center - Las Vegas, NV

Smith Center - Reynolds Hall

Aside from the intimacy of seeing Chris Botti at the Blue Note, this may have been the best Botti show I've seen, sans orchestra. Granted, I haven't seen as many shows as some but I've seen my fair share. 

Botti in the audience

The Smith Center is beautiful at worst. I'm a venue brat at the MGM Grand Garden Arena so I have a fine eye for event management. Their staff was amazing and gives me ideas on how to improve the arena. Granted, they've prob only got 50 employees and I have over 300+ but given the way they took care of me, I learned a great lesson. Great lesson. Only they know what I mean when I say a sincere, "Thank you."

On stage at Smith Center

Botti is a ridiculously great performer. Yes, he's a genius at the trumpet, grammy nominee, sought-after entertainer, blah blah blah - but what makes him a great 'performer' is his relationship with his audience. He's warm, familiar, funny, kind and giving. Like the perfect boyfriend. And beyond that is what he does to his audience. His temperament makes the rest of us want to make friends with our seat-mates. I have no idea how this happens but it does. At my first 2 shows I was so vain as to think it was me who made this happen; the people sitting next to me wanted to talk to me because I was so charming. It wasn't until 4-6 shows later that I realized it was him who made this environment happen. I'm just an average schmo. Botti makes the camaraderie. That's a talent. The naive me would say he doesn't even know he does this but he's a marketing machine. He knows. Otherwise he wouldn't be as successful as he is. Smart man. Smart tour manager. Smart agent. 

Backstage @ Smith Center 

I could babble on an on about his great performance, the set list and the amazing ensemble but - been there, done that. What made this show extraordinary was the sound and the atmosphere of the Smith Center. I will never pay for a Botti show anywhere else in Vegas unless he's playing the Smith. No disrespect to my colleagues at Station Casinos but you simply cannot beat an orchestra hall. Cannot.

He's so accessible

On a personal note, I had an amazing time. Botti's tour manager Jeremy was nice enough to give me a quickie tour of the place before the show and do a quick M&G with his artist. I put my foot in my mouth (shocker, I know) by saying to him something like, "Go kick some ass tonight!" I don't think Botti appreciated my vulgarity given the fact there were other people in the room, including a little old lady, but he was a good sport. 

I sat next to an amazing couple who couldn't say enough about Botti. "I told my grandson I was going to see Chris Botti. He was like, 'who'?" He wanted to bring him to the show to let him hear a different genre of music but it wasn't to be… this time. They were prob 55-ish, successful, articulate, adorable, unpretentious & fun. I love meeting people like this. It's not often you see this calibre of concert-goer at, say, Deadmau5.

Back to the show… there were some regular faves like The Very Thought of You (with 'the snaps'), Hallelujah, The Look of Love & My Funny Valentine & Nessun Dorma but he also had some of his new stuff from the album Impressions. As many times as I've seen Botti, I never bore of him. It's like peeps following the Grateful Dead or Dave Matthews or 311 - only we bathe & don't smoke pot. It's not necessarily Botti himself; it's the sound & feeling that comes out of his horn and the relationship he creates with his audience. My friends all call "bullshit" when I say this because, let's face it, the guy's gorgeous, that's why scores of girls drag their boyfriends to see this "jazz dude." But beauty eventually fades and you come back to the talent; you come back to the sound. This is why Botti keeps selling out venues across the world. When he's 70, ok, maybe girls won't swoon but he'll have some fucking great stories to tell! (Actually, I still swoon @ Tony Bennett so… maybe? Christ, I named my dog after him - Bennett, not Botti.)

Caroline Campbell & me

After the show I was fortunate enough to get a pic with Caroline Campbell, violinist extraordinaire. Normally I loathe beautiful, blond, thin, talented girls like this but she's so kind and warm, I couldn't help but adore her. Yeah, I'm a jealous, superficial, prejudiced idiot. I admit it. I wish I looked like her and had her talent. But I love being proved wrong. She was not only lovely but put up with my antics. Again, class act. My only contribution is hopefully I can be the butt of a joke they talk about on the road; I deserve it. 

The bow

I know there are only like 5 people who read my blog (especially since I took down all of my posts about the Grand Garden Arena shows) but if you do and haven't seen Chris Botti - go. GO. GO! His ticket prices are affordable, he puts on a truly unforgettable performance and some of his songs will bring you to tears, not in a sappy way but in an I-never-thought-I'd-be-moved-by-music kind of way.

And a very sincere, special thank you to Jeremy - you know why. Love you kid. 

12.19.11 Chris Botti @ The Blue Note - New York, NY

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

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.

Mussels @ Barrio 47

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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

It's Alright

Man my feet hurt. Granted I've been in 3' heels all week, but still.

All Star Jam pre-set

The ACMs wrapped up last night with their All Star Jam in the Marquee Ballroom. It rolled along until 1.00a with a barrage of stars like Toby Keith & others that I wouldn't recognize if they took a shit on my doorstep. Many people think it's better than the actual awards show. You get better access; it's a more intimate feel, like seeing a Chris Botti show @ the Blue Note vs. U2 at the O2. Both great shows, just different experiences.

It's Monday morning 9.30a. I'm sitting in my spot in the back corner of the arena floor listening to a little Big Head Todd & The Monsters, It's Alright. It's where I come to clear my head and jot down some notes about the show while they're still fresh in my head. Plus, everyone knows where my office is so there's no place to spend a quiet moment - instead I hide in plain sight. 

The night went well. Not too many surprises. Typical award show event day stuff. There are so many moving parts it's hard to get a handle on all of them. Over the years I've come close but there is always the occasional curve ball. That's what makes them fun.

The riggers and lighting designers are on the stage getting ready for the Girls' Night Out show tonight. I used to hate the second show - mostly because by now my body is so tired it's rebelling against me. But this year I feel great. Not sure if it's my physical body that's to credit or if things this week have been that tame. Either way I'm grateful.

Girls' Night Out Star Chairs

The arena is eerily quiet. Coming in this morning it didn't feel like we have a show today. Now in the arena around 10a things are starting to pick up. Stage hands are striking our green chairs for some fancy gold ones where the "Women of Country" will sit for Girls' Night Out. Couple of other tweaks to the set and floor for the show tonight but other than the content, nothing too much will change. That's the whole point behind doing this Monday show. It's almost a 2-fer-1. Cuts your production costs tremendously because you don't have to re-do a set. And this is the same set we'll be using for our upcoming Billboard Music Awards in May.

Rehearsals get rolling around noon and are in full swing until doors tonight. It's gonna be a long day in these 3' heels.