Chris Botti tours China after first new album in a decade

"When I love a musician, I love the way they play their instrument. For example, in case of Yuja Wang, the tenderness she draws from her piano, the way it resonates in her hands, which are both very special to me," Botti says.

He has been recording albums since 1995, and says the music industry has changed a great deal as a result of social media.

"Every time we give a show, people post reviews even before it ends and before we leave the building, we already have bookings for the next year," he says.

As one of the most renowned instrumentalists in the world for nearly three decades, Botti has collaborated with some of top-level superstars, including Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, and Yo-Yo Ma. He tours about 270 days a year and never takes multiple days off.

"If I tour for 30 days, I will take a day off. It's a life commitment, which I began as a teenager," Botti says.

"Touring as a jazz musician is quite different from touring as a classical musician, who plays from a score. We create music in the moment, we improvise, allowing each member to shine onstage and at the same time, and present something to the audience that is unique," he says.