Add Atmosphere: Enter Chris Botti

I love this guy's sound. His unmistakable signature musical style  has elevated him to rock star status. {Sting is his close friend + mentor}.

Lots has been written illustrating the perfect table setting + impressive recipes , but honestly music is what fills-in all the blank spaces. Nothing changes a mood in a room as simply as surrounding  yourself with good music.

Chris Botti is a class act. Sporting  his signature style: single breasted black suit + skinny black satin tie, his boyish handsome charm has won me over again, or should I say... still.

He is a trumpet player of a different genre. He has packaged his muted sultry playing into a recognizable "Sound". With a repertoire ranging from classical works to jazz standards, his is pure Botti. His stellar breathing + smooth phrasing is so controlled, the only adjective to describe it is... "Sexy". Musically speaking, one could argue it's just the overproduced David Foster formula , to which I would agree.  But actually it sounded awesome live in concert, not easy to do.  Most importantly...I liked it a lot.

 I attended his concert at Westbury Music Fair, on Sunday night. Such an intimate setting, it felt as if he was playing in my living room.

{On a personal note, at home we really did have a stage.  The musicians in the family needed to rehearse in a "Venue". My Mother had a big platform built, in the shape of a piano.  It's still there - red carpet + striped canopy.  Very vogue back then.  Needless to say, I rarely  used  that part of the house.  Mom did a better job inspiring me with design, than the passion for music performance.  Both my Dad + one Brother were professional trumpet players.  I'll never forget how jealous I was that he was permitted to stay-up later than me.  Since he studied trumpet with a guy named Jimmy Maxwell, who was the screecher in The Tonight Show Band with Doc Severson,  he had to do his homework by watching late night TV.  Not to be left out from the fun, Little Sis here, knew every Maynard Fergerson riff, known to vinyl.  Another parallel that personally hits home is that Botti is dedicated to supporting music education in public schools. My Dad is a retired music teacher from the NYC public school system - so I surely can relate.}

Chris Botti will be playing for 2 weeks at the Blue Note, in New York City again. December 15 - January 1st. Including performances on Christmas + New Year's Eve.

I strongly recommend purchasing tickets...for yourself, or, for a gift (hint, hint). It seems to be an annual gig, as I saw his him there a couple of years ago.

So, aside from inspiring table settings + well planned menu's, don't forget to add atmosphere, to your holiday gatherings.

Purchase these CD's at Encore Decor's Amazon Store.

Sit back, relax + enjoy ~m