26 | SMOOTH JAZZ NEWS continued from page 25 Arabia with a collaborator of mine, Todd Schroeder, after being invited to play there. We were in this very foreign land, experiencing things we had never experienced, and being pushed and pulled in wonderful new directions. “There was a lot of hope in that, in the sense of traveling the world and opening yourself up to different cultures. And I told Todd about the song I had unfinished, and he said, ‘Let’s go to the lobby where there’s a piano and finish it.’” The always engaging and thoughtful musician explained that the two friends completed the song and evaluated what they’d created. “We came up with the title to reflect what we were feeling at the time. This is a very difficult time with massive change on the horizon, and the foundational things we have relied on for so long are in question. It’s an uncomfortable time for many, so we absolutely need to rely on that hope to get us through. If people can find hope in that song, then we’ve done our job.” Koz said he finds inspiration in all aspects of his life, even the most quotidian and mundane events and encounters. Since his first solo album in 1990, he has been spinning gold out of hay. “Most creatives, be it painters, poets, movie directors and musicians, we are living our lives and creating our art,” he explained. “What you experience in your life—the small things like going to the local coffee shop and ordering a cappuccino, or going to a museum— those strands find their way into your work, even if you can’t trace it specifically, a lot of times. There’s just a sense that life finds its way into your music.” After 35 years as a solo artist, Koz is now one of the Jedi masters of jazz whose influence can be heard in the music of many of his younger peers. His brand of Kozplay is timeless and speaks to all ages. The ever-curious saxophonist finds inspiration and hope in the sounds of Generation X and Z artists who are experimenting with technology and the boundaries of jazz. His last album from 2021 was a collaboration with guitarist Cory Wong, The Golden Hour, which stretched him in new directions. “I find great inspiration in the younger generation,” he said. “Now that I’ve gotten to this golden era in my life in the early 60s and sort of considered an elder statesman, so the one hat I like to wear is that of mentor. “I like working with young artists, and maybe they learn something—I hope they do, and maybe they don’t—but I always learn something from them. That’s how you grow and learn, and I value it.” He added that he reconfigured the lineup of Summer Horns for this year’s tour by working with younger players he admires. The band includes Marcus Anderson; his twin brother, vocalist Marcel Anderson; trumpeter Evan Taylor; Jeff Bradshaw on trombone; and viral sensation baritone saxophonist Leo P. “This is what gets me excited. Not doing the old Summer Horns, but doing Summer Horns with a new twist and introducing these talented people to our audience. We are making a single for this tour, but it’s not finished yet. There will be new Summer Horns music this year. It will be a full horn section—the first time we’ve had that, so I’m excited about the new music and shows.” Koz will also be heading out this summer on another of his jazz cruises, which travels to northern Europe for the first time. “I can’t wait for this one. Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands,” he said. “People will be able to be exposed to the fjords, Northern Lights, and thermal baths. Just an incredibly rich experience to feel what it’s like to be on this planet and what it has to offer. It’s some of the most breathtaking places in the universe.” He maintained that while he’s not as in the weeds with the nuts and bolts of the cruise planning as he once was, he’s still quite hands-on and works to make it one of the best experiences of his patrons’ lives. Like many discoveries, Just Us wasn’t planned— it evolved out of a burst of creativity and inspiration … All it took was some splendid isolation together for the musicians to mine magic. Dave Koz and Bob James composing songs for their Just Us record at James’ northern Michigan home Photo: Tyler Franz
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