Alumni News

Chris Botti (trumpet, Oregon, ’80-’81)

GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti has been one of the most popular instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades; he’s collaborated with some of the biggest superstars on the planet, including Sting, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, Steven Tyler, Andrea Bocelli, Herbie Hancock, Yo-Yo Ma, and others; he’s topped the jazz charts with numerous albums, earned multiple Gold and Platinum records, performed with symphony orchestras and on prestigious stages from Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl to the Sydney Opera House.

In short, Chris Botti really needs no introduction. Yet with his Blue Note Records debut, he’s offering one anyway. The album Vol.1 is in many ways a fresh start for the trumpeter. Having successfully crossed over from jazz renown to pop stardom, Botti’s first album in more than a decade finds him crossing back, with a small group project focused on acoustic jazz and classic standards.

“I turned 60 in 2022, at a time that seemed like a restart for so many things in the world,” Botti says. “I 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.”

While Botti could boast of the major names with whom he’s shared stages, this project allows him to share his enthusiasm for the jazz greats past and present that excite him – his conversation is peppered with references to everyone from Miles Davis to Keith Jarrett to Pat Metheny to Brad Mehldau. He points to landmark albums like Davis’ Kind of Blue, John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman, or Metheny’s duo outing with Charlie Haden, Beyond the Missouri Sky as models for the kind of “lifestyle” music he set out to make – music that is exquisite on its own but can also set the scene for a coffee shop or hotel lounge, instantly generating a sophisticated mood.

Of course, Botti couldn’t have found a more ideal home for this artistic rebirth. Blue Note has been a standard-bearer of jazz throughout its storied history, and the trumpeter found a receptive partner in label president Don Was. “Anyone that’s lucky enough to say they’re on Blue Note Records should be pinching themselves,” Botti says. “It’s a fantastic honor. I had great runs on Verve and Columbia, so it’s amazing to now arrive on the most famous traditional jazz record label.”

Not that Vol. 1 is a complete about-face – longtime fans will immediately recognize Botti’s glowing tone and regal melodicism, as well as his flair for investing the narrative of a song with high drama and vibrant emotion. “There’s a cinematic quality that I like to hear in music, and that I’ve found that audiences really love,” he says. “The essence of that remains on this album. It’s paramount to me that there is incredible beauty and elegance to all of the performances and the way they’re recorded.”

Botti has assembled a stellar group of collaborators to achieve that blend of beauty and elegance for the album. The album was produced by the legendary David Foster, whose staggering list of credits includes three Beatles, Michael Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Michael Bublé, Diana Krall, Mariah Carey, Madonna, Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton and countless others.

otecommands so much respect from the musicians that he didn’t have to say much, but he would navigate the session in a very subtle way,” says Botti of the producer, who also contributed the lush, moving piano intro to “Danny Boy” that sets the tone for the album.

Botti has enjoyed a long collaboration with pianist Taylor Eigsti, while bassist Zach Moses, keyboardist Julian Pollack, and saxophonist Chad Lefkowitz-Brown are all members of his regular touring band. Veteran drummer Vinnie Colaiuta rounds out the core band.

They’re joined by a number of excellent musicians, including Israeli guitarist Gilad Hekselman, whose atmospheric, cascading lines grace the Rodgers & Hart classic “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”; classical violinist Joshua Bell, who brings a striking passion to Botti’s stark rendition of “My Funny Valentine”; Uruguayan-born guitarist Leonardo Amuedo, whose years in Brazil are reflected in his graceful soloing on Henry Mancini’s “Two for the Road” and the bossa nova feel he brings to “Time On My Hands”; pianist Esteban Castro, whose delicate restraint belies his youth on “Old Folks”; and singer-songwriter John Splithoff, who contributes and performs his romantic song “Paris.”

Above all, it’s Botti’s clarion, heart wrenching trumpet that seizes he spotlight throughout Vol. 1. From the way he sings the yearning melody of “Danny Boy” to the keening, airy melancholy of his Harmon mute playing on Miles Davis’ “Blue In Green”; the hushed tenderness he brings to Coldplay’s “Fix You” or his shimmering flurries on “Someday My Prince Will Come;” Botti leaves no doubt of his mastery or his ability to speak directly from the soul of the instrument.

The title of Vol. 1 implies a new beginning, but perhaps even more promising is the fact that it also hints at a Vol. 2 – and beyond. “I’m so looking forward to that possibility,” Botti concludes.

Chris Botti • Vol. 1 • Release Date: October 20, 2023

Steve Johns (percussion, Massachusetts, ’78-’79)

For over three decades, drummer Steve Johns has been a major presence on the jazz scene, collaborating with many of the music’s most renowned practitioners. Artists from all points on the musical spectrum have consistently sought him out because they know his musicianship, versatility, deep commitment to his craft, and enthuaism will enrich any performance. Leaders such as Nat Adderley, Stanley Turrentine, Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Ronnie Cuber, Jimmy Owens, Dr. Billy Taylor, Benny Carter, and Sonny Fortune appreciated the fact that, no matter what the gig, from the world’s greatest concert stages to the smallest clubs, Steve brings the same total commitment, utmost professionalism, and pure joy at making music. He is also a total musician, who continues to expand his musical horizons by studying piano and trumpet.

​Steve Johns was born into a musical family in Boston in 1960, and began playing drums at the age of nine. His mother, Goldie Tyler Johns, was a songwriter, and three of her brothers were saxophonists, including the legendary Jimmy Tyler, who was Steve’s primary influence and inspiration. It was Jimmy who encouraged the youngster to study formally Alan Dawson, and his three years with the master percussionist and educator enabled him to make rapid progress. While attending Natick High School, Steve played in both the concert and jazz bands and earned chairs in both the district and state jazz ensembles. After graduating in 1979, Steve continued his studies at the New England Conservatory of Music where he received a thorough grounding in classical percussion from Vic Firth and Fred Buda, while playing with such local jazz greats as James Williams, Miroslav Vituous, Jeff Berlin, and Mike Stern. At NEC he met his wife-to-be, Debbie Keefe Johns, a fine saxophonist in her own right. In 1982, Steve made the move to New York quickly establishing himself as an inspirational player at home in any musical style. Over the ensuing three decades, Steve has worked in every conceivable setting, from big bands such as the Gil Evans and the Count Basie orchestras, to accompanying singers like Jessye Norman, Helen Merrill, Diane Schuur, and Dakota Staton, to more experimental settings such as the Thomas Chapin Trio and He has toured worldwide as the regular drummer for Sonny Fortune, Benny Carter, Dr Billy Taylor, and many other luminaries. His three-year tenure as a member of Taylor’s trio brought him wide exposure, including 75 performances for the pianist’s NPR program Jazz at the Kennedy Center with such guests as Wynton Marsalis, Nancy Wilson, Milt Jackson, and Randy Brecker.

​Steve has appeared on over sixty albums by Leon Thomas, George Russell, Thomas Chapin, Dr. Billy Taylor, Houston Person, John McNeil, Sonny Fortune, Peter Leitch, Gary Smulyan, and Bob DeVos, among many others. In addition to his work as a sideman, Steve is also a member of the collective group Native Soul, and has been co-leader on recording projects by that group (Soul Step, 2008, Talking Drum Records), as well as on an album with saxophonist Peter Brainin (No Saints, No Sinners, 2000, Playscape).

​In addition to his extensive credits as a player, Steve has long been active as an educator. While with the Billy Taylor Trio, he took part in over a hundred lecture/demonstrations throughout the U.S., and has regularly served on the faculty for educational programs at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Long Island University, Montclair State University, the Litchfield Jazz Camp, the Vermont Jazz Center, and Jazz House Kids.

​Steve and Debbie’s musical talents have been passed directly to a new generation; their son, bassist Daryl Johns, while still a teenager, has already made his mark as one of the most highly touted musicians to burst onto the scene in recent years. A highlight of Steve’s career was the 2015 release of his CD aptly titled Family, on which Steve, Debbie, and Daryl were joined by guitarists Dave Stryker and Bob DeVos.

​The consummate team player, Steve Johns has always managed to retain his own singular sound and distinctive musical persona while serving the common purpose of any group he is with. “One thing I love about jazz is having the freedom to express your own style,” he told once told Star Ledger jazz writer Zan Stewart. “I knew from a young age you have to have your own voice.”

Eric Miyashiro (trumpet, Hawaii, ’80-’81)

Eric Miyashiro was born to American father and Japanese mother in Honolulu, Hawaii. His father was a professional trumpet player with the world-famous Royal Hawaiian Band; his mother, a professional dancer/actress from Tokyo Japan. Eric was highly influenced by his father. From early childhood took interest in playing all styles of music.
Eric began to study music in early grade school and achieved a level of mastery by 8th grade sufficient for his father to give him a set of trumpets (Eb, D, and a Bb Piccolo trumpet). It gave him an early start with baroque-type high register classical trumpet parts.

After attending Berklee College of Music, he has traveled around the world as the lead trumpeter for Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Stevie Wonder, Tower of Power and played with many jazz, pops, and classical artists. Today Eric Miyashiro is an internationally acclaimed first call trumpet player living in Tokyo. Eric is well known as a powerhouse lead player but he is also a first call classical symphonic musician. He leads his own big bands, EM band and the Blue Note Tokyo All Star Jazz Orchestra. Eric is also teaches at 4 music conservatories, and is in high demand as a composer/arranger.

He is a Yamaha Performing Artist, clinician and he helped design the Yamaha YTR-8340EM Miyashiro model trumpet. And he also plays GR mouthpieces, also his own personal models.

Eric continues to travel extensively around the world as soloist/clinician.

Birthplace / Honolulu,Hawaii

Education / Berklee College of Music ’82-’84

International Yamaha Performing Artist

GR Mouthpieces from 1990 to current; working in Tokyo Japan as studio musician/clinician/soloist/band leader.

Albums / CDs
Eric Miyashiro / Kick Up (2000)
Eric Miyashiro / City of Brass (2003)
Eric Miyashiro / Times Square (2006)
Eric Miyashiro / Pleiades, Tribute to Maynard Ferguson (2008)
Eric Miyashiro / Skydance (2010)

Instructor at:
Kunitachi Music Conservatory
Showa Music Conservatory
Senzoku Gaguen Music College
Osaka Arts Academy

Leader of:
Blue Note Tokyo All Star Jazz Orchestra

Andrew Surmani (trumpet, California, ’80-’81)

Andrew Surmani is President and CEO of Surmani Business Coaching, helping companies and individuals scale up to their full potential in their businesses and personal lives. He is also tenured Professor of Music Industry Studies and serves as the Academic Lead of the Master of Arts in Music Industry Administration degree program at California State University, Northridge. Prior to that, he was the CEO of Caleb Chapman’s Soundhouse, a music performance training program in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before joining the Soundhouse and the CSUN faculty, Andrew worked for more than 29 years for Alfred Music, his last role as Chief Marketing Officer overseeing global sales, marketing, and product development. While at Alfred Music he helped launch some of the company’s most successful product lines.

A co-author of the best-selling series, Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory and the Copyright Handbook for Music Educators and Directors, Andrew has also published articles in educational and music industry journals and has conducted workshops on music education and industry topics throughout the world.

Andrew also works as a freelance musician, and has performed in the Montreux (Switzerland), Istanbul (Turkey), Juan-les-Pins (France), Jazz à Vienne (France), Umbria (Italy), Lake Biwa (Japan), San Sebastian (Spain), and Wigan (England) international jazz festivals. He has performed in the concert halls of Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. Additionally, he led a band and played lead trumpet in two shows at Walt Disney World, and also managed high school groups on tour to Hawaii and Japan for a music production company. After playing trumpet at Walt Disney World, Andrew returned to southern California to complete his MBA degree and began working for Alfred Music.

Andrew was a Founding Board Member and is a Past President of the Jazz Education Network (JEN).