Smooth Jazz Trumpeter Chris Botti has enjoyed a white-hot career in smooth jazz, but he's the first to admit that he's been helped by some influential friends, one daytime diva in particular. 

Botti told the South Bend Tribune that his gigs with Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Sting helped build his name, but it was an appearance on Oprah that really changed everything. "I was introduced to her by playing on a wedding on her show, but she became a fan of my music."

Shortly before the release of When I Fall In Love, his 2004 collection of standards, Winfrey invited him back. "I was in Europe when that...show aired. And when I landed back in the United States, it hasn't been the same for me since." Botti's smooth jazz album sold 50,000 copies in the days after his appearance. "Of course I'm not the only one that happened to," Botti says, "Anyone who's on her show has felt the magic of her enthusiasm."

Visit Chris Botti's website at www.chrisbotti.com