Smooth Jazz News - October-November-Decemeber - 2024

O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4 | 4 3 By Marcia Luttrell Whether he’s celebrating holiday traditions in America’s cities or introducing new experiences on the high seas, saxophonist Dave Koz is intentional when it comes to connecting to his smooth jazz fan base. It’s a late September a ernoon when we caught up with Koz, who was packing for Somma Italia, the new yachting experience he personally designed. e sold-out maiden voyage aboard Somma’s Seabourn Ovation , is an intimate, luxury cruise that visits six unique ports along the Italian coastline. en, in November, Koz will hop onboard an out ttedbus for his annual Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, a yuletide concert that journeys to 11 states over the course of six weeks. “Nearly every night is a performance in a di erent city,” said the platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated musician by phone from his home in Southern California. “It’s still really fun, and it’s going strong. We’re about to start year 27, and as long as people want to keep coming, we’ll keep doing it.” Tour lineup on the bus with Koz e Christmas tour lineup of smooth jazz artists changes annually, and this year, Koz has invited guitarist-singer Jonathan Butler, vocalist Rebecca Jade, saxophonist Vincent Ingala and guitarist- producer Adam Hawley, who recently collaborated with Koz to release the new single, “Automatic.” Altogether, 21 musicians and crew members will travel in two tour buses, one for the musicians and one for the crew, along with a semi-truck that transports the equipment. e buses are equipped with living rooms, condos, or double bunks, kitchens, a shower and even a well-stocked cocktail lounge. “It’s way better than having to travel by plane,” said Koz. “Your bus is not only your mode of transportation; it really becomes your home. A er the gig you can have a nice cocktail if you want. e beds are cushy and comfortable, and I’ve come to love sleeping on the bus because it lulls you to sleep.” e extra passenger Koz added that the one thing he likes to bring on tour with him is his mixed-breed dog, Budrow Charles Koz, aka, Buddy Boy. Buddy is a sparky little road warrior who ts nicely into a small carry-on bag. “I love his company so much,” Koz said. “We had Buddy on tour with us last year, and it was great to have him on the road and cuddle him at night. It’s more fun, and it feels like home when he’s around. Buddy reminds me to not sweat the small stu . He also reminds me to stretch every day because he constantly stretches. He does the downward dog thing.” Many of the concert halls on the Christmas tour have a history, which gives Koz a sense of awe. ere’s the Auditorium eatre in Chicago, for instance, a National Historic Landmark where President eodore Roosevelt gave a speech and artists such as Jimi Hendrix and Aretha Franklin performed. “Some of the places we play at are heritage venues, and if I think too much about who went before us, I get nervous because I don’t want to screw up the lineage,” Koz said with a laugh. “It’s awesome to perform at some of these places. I’ve been blessed to play some of the most incredible venues in the world.” e concert of smooth jazz renderings of classic holiday songs has become a family tradition for multiple generations. Nostalgic holiday classics “A big part of Christmas holidays for families is nostalgia,” Koz explained. “It’s very special for us to look out through the spotlights and see familiar faces at this time of year. e holidays bring up the mirth and the happy stu but also very strong emotions. Giving people that musical healing and o ering inspiration for the new year—that’s our job, and that’s our purpose.” Koz also feels commitment to those who have supported his talent, and the feeling is mutual. “ e thing that blows me away, and what makes me so incredibly grateful, is that our smooth jazz audience is unlike any other audience in the world,” he said. “ ey are incredibly loyal, and as long as you keep bringing it to a high level, they’ll come,” he concluded. For more information on the 27th Annual Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour 2024, including complete tour dates, visit www.davekoz.com. Dave Koz Christmas Tour Photo: Kristy Walker Photo: Bobby Quillard Photo: Raj Naik Photo: Dan Boissy continued on page 44 Dave Koz Jonathan Butler Rebecca Jade Vincent Ingala AdamHawley