ArtistDirect News
Chris Botti Brings Jazz-Infused Pop and Film Classics to Australian Stages in June 2026
Chris Botti, the Grammy‑winning American trumpeter, will light up Australia’s concert halls this week as part of his 2026 national tour. Three shows are slated for June 15 at the Sydney Opera House, June 16 at Brisbane Powerhouse, and June 17 at Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, each featuring a setlist that reimagines well‑known songs from Leonard Cohen, the Bee Gees, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and the film composer Ennio Morricone in a jazz‑driven style.
Botti’s repertoire spans nearly a century of songwriting, turning pop hits and film themes into trumpet‑led interpretations. Rather than treating jazz as a closed genre, he uses it as a lens to reinterpret songs from different eras. The set moves fluidly between Hollywood film scores, Great American Songbook standards, 1970s pop classics and contemporary chart‑toppers.
A centerpiece of the program is Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Stripped back to instrumental phrasing, the trumpet explores the song’s emotional depth. The Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love?” becomes a melodic improvisation that retains the original’s warmth, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s collaboration “Die With A Smile” showcases how contemporary pop songwriting can adapt naturally to jazz arrangements, highlighting its harmonic structure.
Three compositions by Ennio Morricone—“Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission, “Cinema Paradiso” from the film of the same name, and “Deborah’s Theme” from Once Upon A Time In America—provide cinematic moments that spotlight Botti’s expressive trumpet style. Morricone’s music has long attracted jazz musicians because of its lyrical themes and emotional range.
The set also draws from American popular music history. “Someday My Prince Will Come,” written for Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and a jazz favourite since Miles Davis recorded it in 1961, sits alongside “When I Fall In Love,” first associated with Victor Young and later popularised by Nat King Cole, a defining romantic ballad. Botti revisits Michel Colombier’s “Emmanuel,” a piece closely linked to his performances, and includes Frank Sinatra‑associated songs “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning” and “That’s Life.”
Additional selections broaden the historical reach of the concert. “A Song For You,” written by Leon Russell and interpreted by artists such as Ray Charles and Whitney Houston, and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” best known through Elvis Presley’s recording, are joined by the wartime classic “You’ll Never Know,” first introduced by Alice Faye.
Botti’s career has been defined by his ability to blend jazz instrumentation with popular music. Since his debut in the early 2000s with albums such as Night Sessions, he has earned a reputation for bringing jazz to audiences that might otherwise not encounter the genre. His collaborations with Sting, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin and Yo‑Yo Ma have reinforced his position as a crossover artist.
Australian audiences will experience Botti’s approach firsthand during the three performances. The concerts feature a mix of recognisable songs viewed through the perspective of a trumpeter known for his crossover work. Tickets for the Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne shows are available through the official ticketing partner.
The 2026 Australian tour underscores Botti’s continued focus on melody, interpretation and musicianship across genres. By reimagining songs from Leonard Cohen, the Bee Gees, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Ennio Morricone, the trumpeter demonstrates how great songs can be connected through shared musical qualities. The concerts offer listeners a unique blend of pop, film and jazz that reflects Botti’s long‑standing commitment to musical exploration.
Botti’s repertoire spans nearly a century of songwriting, turning pop hits and film themes into trumpet‑led interpretations. Rather than treating jazz as a closed genre, he uses it as a lens to reinterpret songs from different eras. The set moves fluidly between Hollywood film scores, Great American Songbook standards, 1970s pop classics and contemporary chart‑toppers.
A centerpiece of the program is Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” Stripped back to instrumental phrasing, the trumpet explores the song’s emotional depth. The Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love?” becomes a melodic improvisation that retains the original’s warmth, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s collaboration “Die With A Smile” showcases how contemporary pop songwriting can adapt naturally to jazz arrangements, highlighting its harmonic structure.
Three compositions by Ennio Morricone—“Gabriel’s Oboe” from The Mission, “Cinema Paradiso” from the film of the same name, and “Deborah’s Theme” from Once Upon A Time In America—provide cinematic moments that spotlight Botti’s expressive trumpet style. Morricone’s music has long attracted jazz musicians because of its lyrical themes and emotional range.
The set also draws from American popular music history. “Someday My Prince Will Come,” written for Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and a jazz favourite since Miles Davis recorded it in 1961, sits alongside “When I Fall In Love,” first associated with Victor Young and later popularised by Nat King Cole, a defining romantic ballad. Botti revisits Michel Colombier’s “Emmanuel,” a piece closely linked to his performances, and includes Frank Sinatra‑associated songs “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning” and “That’s Life.”
Additional selections broaden the historical reach of the concert. “A Song For You,” written by Leon Russell and interpreted by artists such as Ray Charles and Whitney Houston, and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” best known through Elvis Presley’s recording, are joined by the wartime classic “You’ll Never Know,” first introduced by Alice Faye.
Botti’s career has been defined by his ability to blend jazz instrumentation with popular music. Since his debut in the early 2000s with albums such as Night Sessions, he has earned a reputation for bringing jazz to audiences that might otherwise not encounter the genre. His collaborations with Sting, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Aretha Franklin and Yo‑Yo Ma have reinforced his position as a crossover artist.
Australian audiences will experience Botti’s approach firsthand during the three performances. The concerts feature a mix of recognisable songs viewed through the perspective of a trumpeter known for his crossover work. Tickets for the Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne shows are available through the official ticketing partner.
The 2026 Australian tour underscores Botti’s continued focus on melody, interpretation and musicianship across genres. By reimagining songs from Leonard Cohen, the Bee Gees, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Ennio Morricone, the trumpeter demonstrates how great songs can be connected through shared musical qualities. The concerts offer listeners a unique blend of pop, film and jazz that reflects Botti’s long‑standing commitment to musical exploration.