Christopher Botti (b October 12, 1962) is an American trumpeter and composer.  A perennial jazz chart topper, Botti has a long history of bridging the gap between jazz and pop.  His 2013 Grammy Award came for Impressions in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category.  Born in Portland, Oregon, he came up through a series of music programs, after-school gigging and two years at Indiana University (with Dave Baker).  After tours with Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich, he began a decade in New York, working with Paul Simon and a variety of top-flight singers including Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole and Joni Mitchell.  A two-year stint with Sting brought him to wider public prominence, and a string of Columbia recording successes.  He has been featured with symphony orchestras (Boston Pops, Baton Rouge, Houston) and collaborated with a string of great artists - Yo-Yo Ma, Veronica Swift, Joey DeFrancesco, Taylor Eigsti - effortlessly crossing stylistic boundaries with finesse and good-natured virtuosity.