A Real Gem, And Now Gold Too

Congratulations to Chris Botti, whose recording When I Fall in Love (Columbia) has gone gold -- and in only five months! How cool is that? And Botti's success is wonderful news for Smooth Jazz, because one of our own is breaking through. Some thought Botti was crazy to put his solo career on hold to join Sting's world tour for two years and ultimately become Sting's opening act at the price of his deal with Verve. But the trumpeter has flourished under manager Marc Silag's steady counsel, and his artistry -- not to mention sales success -- only continues to unfold. I'm wondering: Wouldn't Chris be perfect in a movie about Chet Baker's life? [radioandrecords.com]