Channel-surfing can be so rewarding when searching for entertainment. And that is exactly what I was doing one night when I happened upon one of the most extraordinary musical performances I have ever experienced.

For those of us who were not lucky enough to score a ticket for the live performance in Boston’s Symphony Hall, jazz trumpeter Chris Botti’s performance will have to do. The performance is an eclectic fusion of jazz, rock and pop music, a musical style perfected by Botti’s mentor, the incomparable Sting.

Inspired by an earlier release, “To Love Again” — a cut from the CD “What are You Doing the Rest of Your Life,” performed by Sting — and his sense of altruism to promote the Public Broadcast System, Botti’s collaboration with various musicians is an epicurean delight for those with a sensitive musical palette, even classical music aficionados. Jazz-rock fans will recognize the name Bobby Colomby, the man who produced this production, as the former drummer of “Blood, Sweat, and Tears.”

As for Chris Botti’s timbre and style on trumpet, it falls somewhere between the stratospheric, brassy-pizazz of the late Maynard Ferguson or Doc Severinson, and the softer, muted riffs of Clark Terry, Wynton Marsalis, and jazz icon Miles Davis. A horn player with talent, Botti got his big break in the business touring with Sting’s “Brand New Day” tour. And having a near front-row seat to watch that Sting tour and much of the first-rate live entertainment on the planet, I can testify to Botti’s ability not only as a jazz player and composer, but a musician who at this point in his career is a show headliner in his own right.

First up is Botti’s solo of “Ave Maria,” a classic popularized by everyone from Luciano Pavarotti to Karen Carpenter, followed by “When I Fall in Love,” a cut from “To Love Again.” Oh what a difference that string bass, drums, piano and a Les Paul guitar make as Botti reminds us in song when we first let that special someone into our lives. The ensemble then returns to the original melody, playing it straight to the final note. That soulful Billy Chiles piano solo is comparable to anything you will ever hear in the genre of jazz music on stage. Enhancing Botti’s jazz quartet is the musical backup of the Boston Pops directed by Keith Lockhart, who arranged most of the numbers personally. (Those expecting the Boston Pops to be the feature attraction will be disappointed.)

Fade to shades of black and white. Botti’s horn solo complemented by Mark Whitfield’s guitar of “Flamenco Sketches,” a Miles Davis number off his classic jazz recording “Kind a Blue,” recaptures the wistful sound of the jazz legend’s original cut. There are even appearances by vocalists Katherine McPhee and Sy Smith, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pop star John Mayer, and the oft critically maligned Josh Groban, who combined make this concert a memorable musical happening. McPhee and Mayer do the Sinatra standards “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” and “Glad to Be Happy” respectively, both special tributes to “Old Blue Eyes”; Smith’s rendition of Dione Warwick’s “The Look of Love,” reminds us of the soulful rhythm and blues style perfected by the late Isaac Hayes in the early 1970s. Even rock legend Steven Tyler gets into the act. Aerosmith’s lead vocalist seems to wow even the skeptics in the ritzy, Boston audience. And somehow, Tyler with Botti on horn make it happen as the largo-tempoed number “Smile” receives a rousing ovation.

Next up, Sting and Josh Groban’s duet of a cut off the former’s Ten Summoner’s Tales, “Shape of My Heart,” is a far cry from the repetitive, manufactured sound of Yanni and John Tesh.

You too can relive this experience by going to your nearest mall retailer specializing in music DVDs and CDs and pick yourself up a copy to enjoy during this long, hot summer.

Better yet, catch Botti’s act at Kansas City’s Midland Theatre on Sept.25 this fall. Believe me, you will not leave disappointed.

Jean Griffith is an American history instructor at Pittsburg (Kan.) State University. He lives in Carthage.