Just one year after his last sell-out gig at the Dubai Jazz Festival, Sting will be back again in 2016 — this time around he’ll be supporting celebrated trumpeter Chris Botti.
The British music legend will join Botti’s big band in a joint headline gig, set to explore music by both talents.
Billed as “Chris Botti featuring Sting”, the concert will take place at Dubai Media City Amphitheatre on February 25.
The 14th edition of the Jazz Fest is playing things noticeably safe with all three headliners making a return visit to the festival. Also performing at the three-day event is opening night headliners Toto, who perform on February 24. The US pop-rock group also appeared at the festival in 2007.
Meanwhile closing night headliner Santana, who takes the stage on February 26, last played the Jazz Fest just two years ago.
However this time we are promised a very different programme to Sting’s headline gig at the same festival in 2015.
Smooth/pop jazz trumpeter Botti is expected to perform instrumental versions of standards including When I Fall In Love, Concierto de Aranjuez and The Very Thought of You, backed by his band and Sting's bass.
Botti will then return the favour by adding his easy-on-the-ears tones to Sting hits including Every Breath You Take and Desert Rose.
The pair first collaborated when Sting offered guest vocals to Botti’s 1999 album Slowing Down the World. Botti was later invited to join Sting on tour, an experience which introduced the trumpeter to a whole new audience. The pair have continued to collaborate live and on record.
“This outstanding show marks a first time appearance of an iconic pop jazz artist like Chris Botti and the return of Sting after his sell out gig in 2015,” said Anthony Younes, CEO and founder of promoters Chillout Productions.
“It’s definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch a stellar show by these two Grammy Award-winning artists.”
Tickets go on sale on November 25 at noon, priced from Dh395, at www.ticketmaster.ae
