JAN 5-11 | Chris Botti
Jan 05 - Jan 11, 2026
Miner Auditorium
“With his finely etched features and piercing green eyes, trumpeter Chris Botti combines matinee idol looks with the simmering lyricism of an expert balladeer” (The Mercury News).
A trumpeter with a sumptuous, enveloping tone, fluent phrasing, and sense of space, Botti became a masterly musician equally at home in the realms of jazz and pop. He honed his craft performing and recording with stars like Frank Sinatra, Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, and Sting, who featured him on his Brand New Day tour and who was one the stellar artists on Botti’s chart-topping 2009 album Live in Boston.
Botti’s 2012 CD Impressions won the GRAMMY for Best Pop Instrumental Album, and he made his Blue Note Records debut in 2023 with Vol. 1, his first new recording in over a decade.
Stepping back from the lush orchestral arrangements of his recent work, Botti returns to an intimate, small group dynamic on the album, focusing on classic standards like “Old Folks,” “Blue in Green,” “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” and “Someday My Prince Will Come,” among others. Produced by 16-time GRAMMY-winner David Foster, Vol. 1 features performances by violinist Joshua Bell, pianist Taylor Eigsti, guitarist Gilad Hekselman, and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta.
Botti’s SFJAZZ shows have become a New Year's tradition, and always sell out in advance.
The world’s top-selling jazz instrumentalist, GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti is a masterly musician equally at home in the realms of jazz and pop.
ELEVATE YOUR EXPERIENCE
A Benefit of Leaders Circle Membership
Relax and refresh before select SFJAZZ shows at the Leaders Circle Lounge. Enjoy complimentary drinks and treats pre-performance with our most dedicated and passionate Members.
The Leaders Circle Lounge on January 8, 2026 begins at 6:15PM, preceding the 7:30PM performance by Chris Botti. RSVP using the button below.
Not a Leaders Circle member? Join or upgrade your support today.
Faintly jazz-inflected style — traceable to the Miles Davis of late-1950s vintage, around ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘Kind of Blue’ — luxuriates in plush melody and atmosphere.
The New York Times
Faintly jazz-inflected style — traceable to the Miles Davis of late-1950s vintage, around ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘Kind of Blue’ — luxuriates in plush melody and atmosphere.
The New York Times
Personnel
Chris Botti trumpet
Chris Potter saxophones (Jan 5, 6, 7, 8)
Anastasiia Mazurok violin
Julian Pollack piano
Daniel Chmielinski bass
Lee Pearson drums
Sy Smith vocals
John Splithoff vocals
An elegant figure backed by a sharp and aggressive band playing music that alternately charmed and seduced listeners, then gave them license to dance
Variety on Chris Botti
Personnel
Chris Botti trumpet
Chris Potter saxophones (Jan 5, 6, 7, 8)
Anastasiia Mazurok violin
Julian Pollack piano
Daniel Chmielinski bass
Lee Pearson drums
Sy Smith vocals
John Splithoff vocals
An elegant figure backed by a sharp and aggressive band playing music that alternately charmed and seduced listeners, then gave them license to dance
Variety on Chris Botti
Watch & Listen
Chris Botti
Blue in Green
Old Folks
Chris Botti
Blue in Green
Old Folks