Chris Botti
's first studio album in over a decade, 2023's
Vol. 1
is an ardently delivered standards-and-ballads recording that feels like a distillation of his cool romantic aesthetic. Produced by
David Foster
, the album follows 2012's
Impressions
, for which he won the Grammy for Best Instrumental Pop Album. However, where that album was an extravagantly produced affair full of guest singers and verdant orchestral arrangements,
takes a much more back-to-basics approach. For much of the past 20 years,
Botti
has held down a yearly residency over the Christmas holidays at the Blue Note in New York City. Those shows usually find him backed by his adept small group and playing through some of his favorite songs. Working with
Foster
,
applies a similarly intimate approach to
, sinking into cozy renditions of classics like "Danny Boy," "Two for the Road," and "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered." Here, he is joined by his most current touring ensemble, featuring pianist
Taylor Eigsti
, bassist
Zach Moses
, and drummer
Vinnie Colaiuta
. Pianist
also joins in on several tunes, including "Someday My Prince Will Come," where his playing works as a pleasant contemporary contrast to
Eigsti
's more traditional, post-bop style. There are also gorgeous contributions by guitarist
Leonardo Amueda
, saxophonist
Chad Lefkowitz-Brown
, pianist
Esteban Castro
, and acclaimed violinist
Joshua Bell
, the latter of whom jumps on board for a tender rendition of "My Funny Valentine." In fact, it was
Miles Davis
' classic version of "My Funny Valentine," used as the title track to his 1965 live album, that purportedly first inspired
's passion for jazz trumpet. Certainly,
Davis
' influence looms large over
's career, and
is no exception. Along with "My Funny Valentine," he also offers his own muted, close-eyed take on "Blue in Green," one of the key modal ballads off
' iconic
Kind of Blue
. Yet, as with all of his playing on
builds upon his influences, transforming each song with an elegance and warmth that is singularly his own. ~ Matt Collar