Joining Forces
Norwich Bulletin
February 3, 2005
By David Pencek
Josh Groban and Chris Botti caused many record executives to scratch their heads over the past year.

Few could foresee Groban, who combines classical singing and pop, unseating OutKast atop the album charts with his second CD, "Closer." Groban accomplished that in January 2004.

Botti's success was just as surprising. With vocalists such as Diana Krall and Norah Jones taking over jazz, Botti, a jazz trumpeter, showed instrumentalist shouldn't be forgotten. His CD "When I Fall In Love" went to No. 1 on the Traditional Jazz Album charts.

"Behind every success is 10 years hard work. That's the old saying," Botti said during a recent phone interview. "Certainly in my lifetime, classical jazz records don't do so great. I believe we've beaten the odds. And someone like Josh, classical music isn't the logical choice to fill Madison Square Garden. He's in a rare position as an artist."

Botti opens for Groban when the two visit the Mohegan Sun Arena on Tuesday. Botti will take the stage during Groban's set as well and will perform one song with the 23-year-old singer.

The two new stars have been touring together since Jan. 25. They met a few years ago during a benefit concert and talked about working with each other.

"I think this is one of the first times the top selling crossover classical artist has gone on the road with the top selling jazz act," Botti, 42, said. "It's very extreme, particularly because the music is so radically different."

The road to success for both was different too, but both have television to thank.

Groban became more recognized following his appearance on a 2001 episode of "Ally McBeal." He sang "You're Still You" from his debut CD. Then came a profile of Groban on "20/20" and his appearance on the PBS special "Great Performances." His CD went from selling less than 1,000 copies its first week to more than 3.2 million sold after his television appearances.

"Closer" has only enhanced Groban's star power. The CD has three songs Groban co-wrote along with material in English, Spanish, Italian and French. He performed "You Raise Me Up" during pre-game activities for last year's Super Bowl and the song became a hit.

Botti has the queen of television, Oprah, to thank for some of his success. After appearing on her show last year, Botti's "When I Fall In Love" went from No. 146 to No. 37 on the pop album chart and was the top-selling album on Amazon.com for a week.

"My career and Josh's career, we broke through the mainstream acts on television," Botti said. "TV was closed off to instrumental music, but the success of the record is proof that good instrumental music, people buy it and love it. All music doesn't have to be lyric based."

Botti also credits Sting, who he considers a mentor of sorts. Sting had Botti open for him during his tour last year and the two developed a friendship.

When he was 12, Botti knew he wanted to do something in music. Like many children, he took piano lessons. And, like most, he hated them.

"I rebelled against that. I hated practicing piano," Botti said. "But I still loved music. Then I saw Doc Severinsen on 'The Tonight Show' and I thought that looked cool. Then I heard Miles Davis and thought 'That works for me.' "

So far, it has worked for Botti, who incidentally was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People last year by People magazine.

It worked right from the start when Botti's first paying gig was playing backup for Frank Sinatra in 1984. Sinatra checked out Botti during a soundcheck prior to the show. Botti played the trumpet solo in "Fly Me to the Moon."

"He said, 'Nice solo kid' and I just about fainted," Botti said. "I tried talking to him. I asked him, 'Mr. Sinatra do you want me to play this way or that way?' He was very nice and said, 'Do what you want to do. You're going to be great.' Then one of the club owners came up to me and said, 'Maybe you shouldn't bother Mr. Sinatra too much.' "

While television helped Botti and Groban become stars, it didn't create them. The two didn't need sexed up videos or a reality show to push their album sales and grow their audience.

"I'm very outspoken about the dangers of 'American Idol,' the Internet and video games that make kids enamored with rock stars rather than enamored with the craft," Botti said. "Those things get lost."

Album sales and increased popularity came to Groban and Botti because viewers heard Groban's singing and Botti's trumpet playing.

Hmm, music lovers occasionally want quality voices and quality music. Another head scratcher.

If you go
Who: Josh Groban with Chris Botti opening.

When: 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: Mohegan Sun Arena.

Tickets: $95 and $70.

Information: Tickets can be purchased at the Mohegan Sun box office, online at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 886-0070.

Meet Botti: Botti will appear at Spin Street in The Shops at Mohegan Sun following the concert (approximately 10 p.m.). He will greet fans and sign autographs.

On the Web: www.joshgroban.com and www.chrisbotti.com.


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