Matteo Bocelli: New Album, Jon Batiste and Why He Loves to Sing at Weddings
The spotlight is shining brightly on Matteo Bocelli as he prepares to kick off the U.S. leg of his highly anticipated world tour this weekend in California. The singer and songwriter, who is rapidly carving out a career beyond his famous family name, recently sat down with “CBS Mornings” to discuss his new music, a powerhouse collaboration, and the truly unique joy of performing at a wedding.
The North American concerts are part of Bocelli’s massive *Falling in Love* World Tour, a celebration of his new sophomore album. The tour’s U.S. leg launches this Friday, November 29, in Rancho Mirage, California, and will take the young star through major cities before concluding in the northeast in December.
The album itself, also titled *Falling in Love*, dropped in September and has been praised for showcasing Bocelli’s signature blend of classical elegance and modern, cinematic pop. The project features songs in English, Italian, and Spanish, solidifying his role as a global crossover artist.
The Genre-Bending Collaboration
One of the most talked-about tracks on the new record is his genre-bending collaboration with Grammy-winning artist Jon Batiste. The radiant song, “Glimpse of Happiness,” fuses Batiste’s soulful, jazz-inflected sound with Bocelli’s soaring, romantic tenor. It’s a track that bridges orchestral sophistication with contemporary pop grit, signaling an exciting new evolution in Bocelli’s artistic journey.
For Bocelli, a key part of his musical mission is to connect with people on the deepest emotional level, a drive that translates seamlessly from the concert hall to the most intimate of settings: the wedding. He admitted to the morning show hosts that he enjoys performing at nuptials, a sentiment that might surprise fans of a world-touring artist.
The Joy of the Aisle
However, for Bocelli, performing on a couple’s big day is all about the raw, beautiful emotion of the moment. “It’s always emotional to see two people that are confirming their love,” he explained, noting it’s one of the most beautiful things a performer can be a part of.
His affinity for romantic performances has recently put him at the center of some of the most high-profile weddings in the world. He was a memorable surprise performer at Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker’s 2022 wedding reception in Portofino, Italy, where he sang alongside his legendary father. More recently, he brought his soul-stirring elegance to Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s lavish wedding in Venice, performing during the ceremony itself.
Whether he is filling an arena with his voice or providing the soundtrack for a couple’s first dance, Matteo Bocelli is clearly enjoying a career where his inherited talent is matched by his own unique, contemporary vision. The next few months on the road will undoubtedly introduce his new music and his charismatic stage presence to a whole new legion of fans.