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This is about Chris Botti and his band; I fully realize this is a Police/Sting newsgroup, so I'll *Try* and keep it short... (fat chance). BTW, the "Sting" connection is in the last paragraph.

I went to a free concert in the park this past Sunday in Pasadena, CA, with about ten to twelve various jazz bands, and headlining was Ray Charles. I found out that Chris Botti would be there because his previous engagement was cancelled, and Verizon needed to accommodate him and his band.

The performance was excellent. He wore a light-weight white cotton long-sleeved shirt w/ black pants (ladies), and although it was in the 90s, he looked so unbelievably cool. He was able to play five or six tunes from "Night Sessions," complaining that the security made the crowd back away from the restraining gates, and taking the long way around to play in the crowd. (I got some good pics before they made us sit). He has stunning tone live, and I love the energy of the band. I am officially now a fan.

Luckily, I knew the emcee, Payal Kumar, as she is a Soul Jazz DJ on K-Jazz 10pm - 1am Saturday nights (jazzandblues.org if you're interested) where I volunteer, and was able to hang out backstage.

Blah-blah-blah, long story short, he signed my DVD cover (drew a miniature trumpet, too!) before the performance, and I shook his hand and took a picture with him afterwards. Talked to his drummer, too. If you haven't seen them play, you gotta check this woman out--she totally kicks major arse!

Anyway, I certainly can't brag about conversation because I am one of those folks who always says _exactly_ the wrong thing, or it comes out sounding rude or stupid. I will say that he is a slight man, thin and willowy, which is amazing considering the pair of lungs on that man. And ohmigod, he is better looking, yes -better- looking, in person.

**Here is the Sting connection**: He is also one of the most gracious humans, very accessible (if you have something intelligible to say, unlike me). A Verizon employee was getting a couple CDs signed for her boss, and he was explaining that Sting told him (now remember I'm paraphrasing) because his music was instrumental, it was much more difficult for the audience to relate with him. This is one of the reasons why he goes out into the crowd to stand right in front of some lucky lady to play a song, and why he does the meet and greet, sign CDs or whatever, afterward. It's one of the ways he can connect with his audience. Another brilliant Sting message, yet Chris is the bright one for not only following that advice, but for being genuine about it with his fans. He's a good man and will succeed because of it.