Naysayers challenge trumpeter

Trumpeter Chris Botti said the biggest challenge in his career is convincing people he can play.

"I mean, if you look at me, you see a blond guy who has been selling a lot of albums," he said with a laugh during a phone call from somewhere between Texas and Orlando, Fla. "In some music circles, those attributes mean I can't play. So each night when we get onstage, I have to prove to those naysayers that I can indeed play."

Still, Botti can't complain (and he really doesn't), because he has played with the best musicians in the business.

Back in 1990, he hooked up with Paul Simon and embarked on a 15-month tour. After taking in as many sessions as he could, Botti released his debut solo album "First Wish" in 1995. He has worked with Marc Cohn, Natalie Merchant, Joni Mitchell and Academy Award-winner film composer John Barry, just to name a few.

In 2000, Botti joined Sting's "Brand New Day" tour, which made a stop in the E Center. "I remember that tour. It was one of the best experiences of my career."

Botti first picked up the trumpet when he was barely in his teens. "It was a rebellious act against my mother who was a piano teacher," Botti said with another laugh. "I took piano and did get into it, but after hearing Miles Davis, I wanted to play trumpet. There was something melancholy that captivated me."

Botti said his goals for his music changed throughout his training. "First I wanted to play in a band. Then I wanted to make a CD. Then I wanted to move to New York. And once I got there, I developed a whole new set of goals — like pay the rent and keep my musical integrity doing it."

In 2005, Botti released his latest album "To Love Again," which features Botti with an array of vocalists for 13 pop and jazz standards. Sting, Paula Cole, Michael Buble, Jill Scott, Gladys Knight and Steven Tyler are just a few who appear on the album. ("To Love Again" is the follow-up to his gold album "When I Fall in Love.")

"There are a lot of others people I'd love to work with in the future," Botti said. "I'm getting ready to go into the studio to start the new album. Although I don't have a title or concept, yet, I do know it will be released in August."

If you go

What: Chris Botti, Dana Glover

Where: Abravanel Hall, 123 S. West Temple

When: Monday, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $44-$49

Phone: 355-2787 or 888-451-2787

Web: www.arttix.org

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com