It’s All In the Delivery
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel
March 3, 2005
By Mary Anne Gates
Passion for music helps mesh individual stylings of Josh Groban and jazz artist Chris Botti
The best-selling traditional jazz artist and the best-selling classical crossover artist are bringing their romantic, passionate styles to Memorial Coliseum.
Though the two are touring together, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti made it clear that he and vocalist Josh Groban are not performing together. Instead, Botti is opening with his own set of songs with Groban following.
They are scheduled to perform March 8 at Memorial Coliseum.
Doing two completely separate shows has worked for the musicians, Botti said.
“It’s gone over well with the fans and the critics,” he said. “And we have been having a great time doing it.”
While these may be separate shows performed back to back, perhaps one reason their partnership has been successful is the similar approach both artists have in delivering their music.
“I make music that I am passionate about,” Botti said. “I make music that is real and honest for me.”
The jazz artist, who prefers to make slow and melancholy harmonies, knows his fans feel the emotion he creates in the music. “Some fans cry, some are joyful,” Botti said. “Everyone has a different sort of reaction.”
Having a good time while performing your favorite music to huge crowds of adoring fans is the kind of experience most people can only dream about.
Groban, who sings heartfelt classics, and Botti have found a way to live that dream.
While these may be separate shows performed back to back, perhaps one reason their partnership has been successful is the similar approach both artists have in delivering their music.
“It’s hard to characterize his music,” said Margie Radike of Fort Wayne, who will be attending the show. “It’s not just classical. It’s easy-listening, it’s pop. It’s all of those things.”
Radike, 45, became a fan instantly when she caught the last part of one of his songs on a public television special.
“I was hooked,” she said.
Even if the song is in a foreign language, fans feel the emotion.
“You know what the feeling is even when you can’t understand the words because of the intense delivery of the song,” said Kami Heidelberg of Fort Wayne.
“It was the songs in different languages that captured my interest more,” she said.
Heidelberg did not like Groban’s singing when she first heard him while he filled in for someone in a performance with Celine Dion. Groban was just 17 at the time.
Later, Heidelberg heard Groban on the radio and liked his music well enough to buy a CD. Since then, she has become a devoted fan.
Heidelberg is now a very loyal Grobanite. She started her countdown to the concert 103 days beforehand.
“Everyone knows I’m going to be depressed after the concert, because it’s over,” she said.
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Concert Details
What: Josh Groban and Chris Botti in concert
Where: Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Tickets: $31-$66 by calling 483-1111 or at the coliseum box office or contact Ticketmaster at 424-1811 or www.ticketmaster.com .
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Quiz Answers
We had plenty of A+ entries for our Josh Groban quiz that ran Feb. 17.
The winner of the drawing is Kimberly Swank of Fort Wayne.
Here are the answers:
1. Josh Groban has sold how many CDs and DVDs worldwide? b) 13 million
2. Groban got one of his biggest breaks when he performed on the 2000 season finale of what hit TV series? a) “Ally McBeal”
3. Groban sang a duet at the closing of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City with whom? a) Charlotte Church
4. One of the featured tracks on his first CD was “Canto Alla Vita.” Well, that’s Italian. What’s the rough translation into English? c) “Song to the Life”
5. Groban’s recent DVD was recorded live at the famous Greek Theatre in what city? b) Los Angeles
6. The show at the Greek Theatre features a guest appearance by Béla Fleck, who’s known for his virtuosity on what instrument? d) banjo
7. Groban was nominated for a Grammy in the male pop vocal performance category. Who won? b) John Mayer
8. Groban’s song “Believe” was nominated for an Oscar this year. What film was it in? b) “The Polar Express”
9. Who did Groban sing a duet with at the Academy Awards on Sunday? a) Beyoncé
10. His fans like to call themselves by what nickname? b) Grobanites
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