Hot Jazz on a Cool night
Here we are several days later and we are all still walking on air over here at the Ovations office. The concert was so fabulous. I couldn’t believe Merrill could feel so intimate. When Chris Botti came down into the audience and played unplugged, well, it was spectacular! He was one of the best artists I’ve ever seen in Merrill; and his band and guest artists were just as exciting and talented. What a treat!
We Portland Ovations staff members sometimes sit behind the sound board during performances. For most patrons, they might not want to sit in those seats because perhaps the sound board is too distracting. The blinking lights, the sound tech hovering over the board, laptop graphics glowing and shifting. However, I love sitting in those seats. I love the synesthetic effect of the sound and colors. And at the Botti concert, I was blown away by not only by artists but also the quality of the sound mix. It was just right! Not too loud, not too much bass, incredibly bright and a perfect blend of sound for the trumpet… I can’t imagine the acoustics in Merrill Auditorium being any better. Chris Botti actually commented on them. The precision, clarity, and beauty of the sound produced by Botti and all his musicians and guest artists literally warmed the space and made it sparkle with “cool” jazz. Of course, Botti’s charisma on and off the stage was magnetic!
nosaanlflt says:
qrs325
Barri Lynn says:
I agree! Having Sting here in Portland would be fabulous! Don’t know if Merrill is a big enough venue to hold all his fans, though.
Music Fan says:
Chris Botti was a humble, magical performer who sounded sublime at the Merrill. And now if only Ovations could get Botti’s friend and collaborator, Sting, to come to Portland’s favorite venue. This much-heralded and versatile performer is about to embark on a world tour with the Royal Philarmonic. Wouldn’t they sound great at the Merrill?
Dan Hamann says:
Having see Chris Botti on a PBS special, I was excited to see him and his band live at the Merrill.What I experienced though was beyond anything I could have imagined.Opening with Ave Maria,I knew I was in for something truly spectacular.World class musicians/artists.The sound quality that the Merrill is known for,and an audience that truly appreciates music at it’s finest.This performance for me ranks as one of the top five of all shows I have seen over my 30 + years of attending live shows.I am looking forward to seeing him again at the Merrill .