Ever since 1995, when he first came to prominence with the CD ‘First Wish’, Chris Botti has gradually differentiated himself from other contemporary jazz trumpeters by ever increasing diversions down avenues of standards, classical music and opera.  With a stage presence that is both articulate and magnetic, he has the ability to command an audience of any size and at Humphreys open air concert venue on the rim of the San Diego Bay he did just that.  In the company of some of the fines

In the city it was just another sizzling summer night and, at the upscale Anthology, guitarist Lee Ritenour was playing his part in keeping the temperature high.  His appearance at San Diego’s pre-eminent music hotspot was ostensibly in support of his latest CD ‘6 String Theory’ and although for the most part he majored on this interesting and eclectic collection he also found time for some old favorites along the way. Jazz Review caught the first of his two ‘back to back’ shows

As the rain of early afternoon subsided into the warming sunshine of evening it was the sparkling on stage presence of keyboard player Keiko Matsui that really brightened a Southern California day.  She was in town to play her part in the latest chapter of the summer long Champagne Jazz Series and, with a glorious selection of her most memorable tunes, instantly confirmed her credentials as one of the most influential contemporary jazz musicians of the last twenty years. Despite her ex