The dates span six full weeks, starting July 20 in Wantagh, N.Y., and wrapping in West Palm Beach, Fla., September 4. Concerts are planned across the country, including a four-date run through California and two dates in Texas.

The tour will feature longtime Earth, Wind & Fire members Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson. Founder Maurice White retired from the road in 1996 but still serves as the band’s producer.

The group released its 23rd album, Illumination, last September. The disc features contributions from Raphael Saadiq, Will.i.am of Black Eyed Peas, Outkast’s Big Boi, Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child and more.

Botti, who has been on the road almost nonstop since last fall, will do a number of headlining gigs before, after and in between the EWF dates. His summer plans include a trip to Europe for the International Istanbul Jazz Festival and a pair of Poland concerts, and he’ll tour Canada in October.

Botti also has a seven-night run booked at New York City’s Blue Note in December, with more U.S. dates stretching into February 2007.