By Jeff Maisey
Smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz has made a successful seasonal career hitting the road for the past 27 years in the month leading up to Christmas Eve with his critically acclaimed Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour.
When the 28th tour makes a stop at CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts on December 5, Koz will be joined by a stellar cast that features Jonathan Butler (guitar/vocals), Haley Reinhart (vocals), Kayla Waters (keyboards), and Casey Abrams (bass/vocals).
Dave Koz’s most recent solo album was the sensational 2022 10-track album “Christmas Ballads,” a distinct change of pace from the usual R&B-meets-Jazz sound Koz is often known for, but don’t expect to hear any material from it this time around.
Sensing the highly polarized nature of the country both before and after the election, Koz believes audiences may need “a little Christmas, right this very moment” and is taking a different approach to his repertoire.
“When I got together with my music director — Randy Jacobs — and Jonathan Butler, before we discussed any music (for this tour) we talked about the feeling of this show. What do we want to put out there to our audience?” Koz explained. “And you’re right, this has been a really tough year with so many things biting us as we try to find a way forward.
“What we landed on, “ Koz continued, “as the vibe of the show was a heartfelt escape — those two words. We want to inspire people, especially at the end of the year, no matter what’s going on around us there’s still so much that can bind us together and keep us whole.”
Dave Koz said the annual show during the holiday season continues to be successful because it touches on the themes of inclusivity, generosity of spirit, kindness and warmth.
“And this year more than ever it’s incumbent upon us to project that,” said Koz. “It’s about healing our country and there’s no better way to do that than with music.”
Dave Koz and Friends decided to favor a more up-tempo selection of songs for this upcoming concert — universal songs that make be feel good.
“But there’s also going to be touching, heartfelt music as there always is during the holidays,” he shared. “So when Jonathan Butler sings ‘O, Holy Night’ you can hear a pin drop no matter how big the venue is.
“For me,” Koz continued, “when I get a chance to play Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ that’s also a chance for me to connect on a more emotional level with our audience. So there are moments within the show to give people that catharsis moment to deal with their healings.
“The holidays in general bring up a lot of emotions for people,” Koz continued. “In every family there are people who come and go; people who pass. The holidays are so steeped in nostalgia.”
Earlier this year, “Santa Koz” (as the nine-time GRAMMY nominee is often referred to this time of year) teamed up with an icon who was born on Christmas Day – Bob James – on Just Us, a one-of-a-kind album that is unlike anything either artist has ever recorded before. Raw and unplugged, with just the saxophone and piano, it was recorded primarily in James’ Michigan living room and contains both original songs and standards. Recognized as a milestone in both artists’ careers, Just Us claimed the No. 1 spot on the Luminate (formerly SoundScan) Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. It has received a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.
The spirit of Christmas will be heard when Dave Koz & Friends play CNU’s Ferguson Center.
