Night Sessions

Let's see: the cover art shouts "pretty," the music is supposedly "smooth jazz" (augh!), and the title--Night Sessions--is, well, bland.

But I'll be darned if this isn't a great CD. Botti may be pretty, but so is his playing, in the best sense of the word. And while the music may be smooth, it isn't (thank goodness) the blandly vapid stuff that usually passes for contemporary jazz. Although different in many ways, the music reminds me of Wayne Shorter's underrated and wonderful "High Life": intelligent, contemporary instrumental music that actually defies genres. Both effortless and far more complex than it initially seems, this is music that one can either relax to as background music or seriously consider right up front.

I have to agree with one of the other reviewers, who rightly points out that Dominic Miller is one brilliant player. His presence is clearly evident--and it doesn't hurt to have players like Christian McBride (who plays with Botti...Read more

I'm a Jazz trumpeter myself, and never heard anything similar to Botti's lyricism. (That's the first five stars: originality.)
Of course, listening to Chet Baker you hear the warmest and most dreamy sound one can possibly get out of a Bb horn. And Miles, late in his career, experimented with "pop" songs with lyrical melodies, but his sound was sometimes scratchy and most of the time out-of-tune (which doesn't mean that you couldn't appreciate it: that was trademark music!), and: it got pretty commercial.
The Night Sessions are "coolness" at its best, and stylistically somehow linked to both the trumpeters. Simple and straightforward phrasing, but very efficient and unique, is the biggest part of it. Then, to prevent it from getting to repetitive, Botti blends finger-knotting licks within the unruffled harmonic textures.
So far so good, really! (Let's give it two stars more... 7 ?!)
But then, listening closely, you perceive that there's little interaction...Read more

I bought his first CD Slowing Down the World and instantly fell in love with him (actually his sound).
Now this cd, Night Sessions, makes me praise him even more. His soulful and tender music makes you forget the world and everyone in it. You lose yourself in the enchanting melodies of this extremely talented young man.
I compare him to people like Miles Davis, Herb Alpert and Rick Braun. Like Jim Brickman (who gives the piano so much personality), Chris makes the trumpet come alive. Chris Botti is in league with some great talent.
There is not a specific song that stands out more than the rest. Even the songs with vocals sound beautiful. The entire cd is great. It is worth every penny.
If you need to unwind; or have someone to snuggle up with; or just want to make your work time flow smoother-I highly recommend NIGHT SESSIONS by Chris Botti.
Enjoy!