World’s best-selling jazz instrumentalist kicks off 2024 with Bay Area run

Want to see Chris Botti in concert?

Well, you’ve got plenty of chances to do so as the famed trumpeter plans to perform eight shows in six nights, Jan. 9-14, at the SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco.

That’s a rare kind of a multi-show run for a jazz instrumentalist to enjoy, well, basically anywhere outside of New York City. Yet, Botti isn’t just any jazz instrumentalist. According to SFJAZZ, he’s “the world’s best-selling jazz instrumentalist.” Not coincidentally, he can draw the type of big crowd numbers to warrant eight consecutive shows in the same venue.

What’s so great about Botti? Let’s start off with his amazing tone and sense of lyricism, which pay off in various enchanting ways in both his studio recordings and on the live stage.

The list of all stars who have called upon Botti’s talents over the years include Buddy Rich, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Sting and, yes, even Frank Sinatra. The Portland, Oregon,-born trumpeter has also delivered so many popular albums of his own, including the 2009 platinum-selling live offering “Chris Botti in Boston.”

Botti performs at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9-12, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 3 and 7 p.m. Jan. 14. Tickets are $55-$175, sfjazz.org.