More than an encore: Chris Botti returns to MIAC
When GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti performed at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center in March 2023, the concert sold out weeks in advance. Audience members left asking the same question: "When is he coming back?"
On Friday, Aug. 28, that question will finally have its answer.
For the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts & Culture (MIAC), however, bringing Botti back isn't simply about revisiting a memorable evening. It's about presenting an artist whose career continues to evolve while giving Erie audiences the opportunity to experience one of the world's premier musicians at the height of his artistry.
An Artist Still Reinventing Himself
Few instrumental musicians have achieved the crossover success of Chris Botti. Over nearly three decades, he has collaborated with artists ranging from Sting, Paul Simon, and Barbra Streisand to Lady Gaga, Andrea Bocelli, Yo-Yo Ma, and Herbie Hancock. Along the way, he has earned GRAMMY Awards, released Gold and Platinum albums, and performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House.
Yet Botti has never been content to rely on past success.
His recent Blue Note Records debut, “Vol. 1,” represents what he calls “a fresh start,” a return to the acoustic jazz traditions that first inspired him after years of crossover success. Rather than relying on elaborate orchestral productions, the album emphasizes the artistry of a small ensemble and timeless jazz standards. As Botti explains, he wanted to “strip away all the orchestral arrangements and special guests and focus more on my playing, the playing of my band, and these jazz classics that we always love playing on stage.”
More Than Entertainment
For MIAC, presenting artists like Botti has always been about more than bringing exceptional performances to the stage. As Mercyhurst University's professional presenting organization, MIAC seeks to connect students and the broader community with artists working at the highest level of their craft.
Whether students aspire to careers in music, theatre, dance, or any profession that values creativity, discipline, and collaboration, witnessing extraordinary artistry firsthand offers lessons that cannot be replicated in a classroom.
“When our students experience an artist like Chris Botti in concert, they're witnessing the culmination of decades of discipline, curiosity, collaboration, and craftsmanship,” said Dr. Brett D. Johnson, MIAC artistic director. “That's an education in itself—and one that can inspire them long after the performance ends. The same is true for our audiences. Every MIAC performance is an opportunity for our community to encounter extraordinary artistry and leave with a deeper appreciation for the creative process.”
A Return Worth Experiencing
For those who attended Botti's sold-out 2023 performance, Aug. 28 offers the opportunity to hear one of the defining trumpeters of his generation in a new chapter of his career. For those discovering Chris Botti for the first time, it offers an introduction to an artist whose performances blend jazz virtuosity with luminous tone, lyrical phrasing, and an extraordinary ability to transform familiar songs into deeply personal musical experiences.
Ticket Information
Tickets, priced $35–$60, may be purchased online at https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/miac/7945, by phone at 814-824-3000, or in person at the Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts Center box office (Tues.–Thurs., noon–5 p.m.). A $5 per-ticket processing fee applies to all orders, regardless of purchase or payment method.
Chris Botti's performance is sponsored by H. Jack Langer Plumbing & Heating Co. The 2026–27 MIAC Live season is sponsored by Alan & Patti Schaal and VNET, with additional support from the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority.