Chris Botti returns to Sarasota

It's been two years since trumpeter Chris Botti played a concert in the Bradenton area. He was a big star then, and he's gotten even bigger since.

Botti often gets lumped in with the "smooth jazz" musicians who play pretty but one-dimensional music. But while Botti's music has some smooth jazz elements, it's stylistically diverse, and more imaginative and emotional than most smooth jazz.

It's probably more accurate to call him a pop musician, because it's a more encompassing description. He has, in fact, been nominated for Grammy Awards in pop categories -- and his album "Impressions" won the 2013 Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album -- while those same records top the jazz charts. He's performed in concert with jazz combos, pops orchestras and with Josh Groban and Sting, and he's recorded with Vince Gill, Herbie Hancock and Mark Knopfler.

And, besides all that, "People" magazine named Botti one of the 50 most beautiful people.

In his solo work, he offers a combination of classical, jazz, pop and even Latin influences, combined with his tasteful takes on romantic melodies.

He'll be at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota for a concert on Friday. You can count on hearing his beautiful arrangements of such classic tunes as "What a Wonderful World, "Summertime" and "Over the Rainbow."

Details: 8 p.m. April 17, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets: $45-$70. Information: 941-953-3368, vanwezel.org.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Chris Botti returns to Sarasota ."