HOT PICKS: Chris Botti tops this weekend's nightlife, April 7-10
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HOT PICK
Saturday
Jazz: What do music artists Paul Simon, Sting, Frank Sinatra and Rod Stewart have in common? They've all performed or recorded with jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. It's been a tradition for many years to have Botti perform at the McCallum Theatre every April at the end of the season, and he'll perform Saturday.
In the ’80s, Botti dropped out of Indiana University to tour with Sinatra and Buddy Rich before becoming a session musician for Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Joni Mitchell and many others. He released three albums between 1995 to 1999, but after Sting hired him to perform on the 1999 "Brand New Day" tour, Botti's solo career took off.
In 2001, his album "Night Sessions" was No. 4 on the Billboard Jazz Chart. A year later, his Christmas album "December" went to No. 124 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent releases topped the jazz chart and were commercially successful.
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, McCallum Theatre, 73-000 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert. $55 to $120. (760) 340-2787. mccallumtheatre.com
BEST BETS
Thursday
Jazz: New York City jazz pianist and accordionist Ben Rosenblum is on a West Coast tour and performing Thursday at Agua Caliente Casino in Palm Springs.
Rosenblum has performed with his trio and sextets in various venues throughout the world and was a featured soloist at Carnegie Hall's Stern-Perelman Auditorium. He'll be accompanied on this tour by bassist Eduardo Belo and drummer Ben Zweig.
If you go: 7 p.m. Thursday, Agua Caliente Casino, 401 East Amado Road, Palm Springs. $10 to $45. (888) 999-1995. aguacalientecasinos.com
Saturday
Indie: During the early ’90s, Chapel Hill, North Carolina was one of many cities with a vibrant indie rock scene with bands such as Archers of Loaf, Picasso Trigger and Polvo. The band Superchunk were also there at the same time and helped put the city on the map with its alternative rock sound.
Frontman Mac McCaughan and bassist Laura Ballance also founded Merge Records, which has released albums by Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel, Conor Oberst and more. Superchunk performs Saturday at Pappy and Harriet's.
If you go: 7 p.m. Saturday, Pappy and Harriet's, 53-688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown. $37.90. (760) 228-2222. pappyandharriets.com
Tribute: Led Zeppelin is one of the most successful rock bands in history and there are several tribute groups performing the group's music. But Zeppelin USA isn't putting on wigs and costumes; the skilled bandmates are putting on energetic performances with stunning visuals.
See for yourself on Saturday when the group performs at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa in Rancho Mirage.
If you go: 8 p.m. Saturday, Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage. $20 to $35. (888) 999-1995. aguacalientecasinos.com
Sunday
Mexican pop: Brother and sister duo Jesse and Joy have earned critical praise and have won over international audiences with their Mexican pop music. Since they formed in 2005, the duo has released five albums and won six Latin Grammy Awards.
In 2019, they collaborated with Colombian singer J. Balvin on the song "Mañana es Too Late," which reached No. 1 in Mexico. The pair's latest album, "Aire," was released in the spring of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jesse and Joy will perform on Sunday at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino after a two-year wait.
If you go: 8 p.m. Sunday, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, 84-245 Indio Springs Parkway, Indio. $29 to $59. (760) 342-5000. fantasyspringsresort.com
Desert Sun reporter Brian Blueskye covers arts and entertainment. He can be reached at brian.blueskye@desertsun.com or on Twitter at @bblueskye.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: HOT PICKS: Chris Botti tops this weekend's nightlife
