Chris Botti’s popularity is sooo not about his playing that you’d be forgiven for thinking his trumpet skills are lacking. They’re actually as good as his telegenic looks, even if he rarely puts them to use playing the kind of bop he cut his teeth on. A consummate showman, Botti takes over the Blue Note through year's end and beyond; performances tend to sell out early (as New Year's Eve already has, evidently), so call first.
