Q - Botti sounds like an Italian last name. Do you have italian background ?

A - Yes, aside from my last name being Italian, I lived in Pavia , Italy for 2 years when I was 2 years old.

Q - Who is your inspiration? Who is the artist who more than anyone else inspires your music and your playing technique?

A -While I have certainly been influenced by many artists over the years, my main influence by a long margin is Miles Davis.

Q - How did you chose to play the trumpet?

A - Well, I grew up in a musical family, my mother was a classical pianist, so I started out on the piano first, but then moved over to the trumpet. I learned early on that I'd have much less competition playing the trumpet. When I was 9, one of my band teachers sat me down and played me Miles Davis, and I knew right there and then that I wanted to be a musician for the rest of my life.

Q -  You're a well known wonderfully talented trumpet player. One would think that you'd rather have people listening to your trumpet   as the main feature in your album, but you decided instead to have numerous collaborations with well known artists, especially  in your new album. Why this choice?

A - I still feel that "To Love again" is about the sound of my trumpet. That said, it is an honor to share the stage or the songs with some of the greatest singers in the world. 

Q - This is your second official cooperation with Michael Bublé. How did you two come to work together?

A - Michael and I met through David Foster, and I was a big fan of Michaels, so I was honored to play on his record.

Q - "Song for you" is undoubtedly   one of the most exciting and emotional songs on Michael's latest album. It's Time, and that's also thanks to your contribution. Was it you   to pick that particular song or was it the best choice to express yourself and your talent among those that Michael decided to put on the tracklist?

A - I wish I could take credit for some of that, but ultimately the choices are down to Michael and to David Foster. On "Song for you" Michael's vocal is really what makes the track as beautiful as it is, I am just happy to have been part of it.

Q - Michael is singing "Let there be love" on your new album "To Love Again".  Was it just to "return the favor" or do you guys really like working together?

A - Again, as above, it is a pleasure for me to share the stage or the music with Michael.

Q - You have a huge American tour ahead of you. Will Italy be included in your future dates once the tour has gone worldwide?

A - There is plenty of talk of us performing across Europe next summer, and hopefully this will include some stops in Italy . My band did play a number of shows in Italy late last year when we opened for Sting's Sacred Love tour, and the audiences were great, so we'd love to come back again. Italy is my favourite place on earth!!