The Official Chris Botti Site

By THOR CHRISTENSEN / Special Contributor
Photo by BEN TORRES / Special Contributor

Chris Botti’s jazz trumpet chops aren’t the only reason he can fill big halls like the Meyerson Symphony Center, where he began a three-day stand on Friday night.

For starters, he’s got sex appeal and pop instincts. To put on the crass hat for a moment, Botti is the new Chuck Mangione but with much nicer hair.

But the bigger reason for Botti’s success is he dares to do what so many jazz players don’t: He entertains -- and with gusto.