In a career spanning nearly two decades, Dave Koz has established himself as a platinum-selling artist, humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host, and instrumental music advocate. As the recipient of six Grammy® nominations, the list of artists who Koz has played with bears testament to his talent and includes such musical luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, U2, Michael McDonald, Luther Vandross, and Rod Stewart. Born and raised in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley, Koz initially picked up the saxophone to gain entry into his big brother's band. What began as a ploy became a lifelong obsession. Years later, after earning his degree in mass communications from UCLA, Koz decided to become a professional musician. Within weeks of that decision, he was recruited as a touring member of Bobby Caldwell’s band. It was during this time that Koz befriended keyboardist Jeff Lorber, who invited Koz to come play on one of his tours. That stint was followed by a fourteen-month tour with pop singer Richard Marx. Signed to Capitol Records by Bruce Lundvall, Koz released his self-titled solo debut album in 1990. This was the first in a body of best-selling work, which includes the gold-certified Lucky Man (1993), Off The Beaten
Path (1996), and the holiday-themed albums December Makes Me Feel This Way (1997) and Dave Koz & Friends - A Smooth Jazz Christmas (2001). His gold-certified fifth album, The Dance (1999), spawned no less than five Top 5 contemporary jazz hits. Saxophonic (2003) produced another four Top 5 singles and garnered Koz two Grammy nominations spanning two consecutive years. In 2007, Koz released two chart-topping collections of standards. At The Movies, his lush, romantic celebration of timeless melodies from cinema, spent eight weeks atop Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz chart and was nominated for a Grammy in the “Best Pop Instrumental Album” category. Produced by the legendary Phil Ramone, and accompanied by a full orchestra, it features special guest performances by India.Arie, Anita Baker, Chris Botti, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis, Donna Summer, and Vanessa Williams. The album also includes several stunning instrumentals, including Koz’s moving rendition of “Over the Rainbow,” which received a Grammy nomination for “Best Pop Instrumental Performance.” Memories Of A Winter’s Night, released in September 2007, is a festive collection of 12 holiday standards celebrating the wonders of the season. The album,
which hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz chart that December, includes Dave’s duets with Kelly Sweet, Kimberley Locke, and Brenda Russell and also features Rick Braun, Peter White, and David Benoit. Fans will be treated to Dave Koz At The Movies Double Feature CD + DVD in February 2008. It features Koz’s popular At The Movies CD with two never-before-released bonus audio tracks plus a new DVD capturing Dave and his guests making the album. A track-by-track commentary and exclusive artist interviews are also included on the DVD. Dave serves as a radio personality in two different outlets: on weekdays, as the host of an afternoon radio show that airs in 20 markets across the nation, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, Baltimore, San Francisco and Denver; and on weekends, as the host of the syndicated Dave Koz Radio Show, now in its eleventh year, in over 120 markets. As an entrepreneur, Koz is co-founder of the independent record label, Rendezvous Entertainment. As a philanthropist, he serves as Global
Ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, recently completed a four-year term on the Grammy Foundation Artists Committee, has served as National Trustee for the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) and is an ongoing member of the Board Of Governors for the Grammy® Foundation. Koz is constantly touring, summer and winter, on land and by sea, with a summer tour, holiday tour, and Dave Koz-branded cruise via the Holland America Cruise Line. With a triumphant career as an artist and radio personality, his independent record company, and the well-earned respect of the recording industry, Dave Koz’s artistry, commitment and influence continue to grow.
Check out the latest album from Dave Koz - "At The Movies"
1. Over The Rainbow - The Wizard Of Oz
2. Moon River featuring Barry Manilow - Breakfast At Tiffany's
3. As Time Goes By - Casablanca
4. Somewhere featuring Anita Baker - West Side Story
5. The Shadow Of Your Smile (Love Theme From "The Sandpiper") featuring Johnny Mathis and Chris Botti - The Sandpiper
6. The Pink Panther - The Pink Panther
7. The Way We Were featuring Vanessa Williams - The Way We Were
8. The Summer Knows (Theme From "Summer Of '42") - Summer Of `42
9. It Might Be You featuring India.Arie - Tootsie
10. Cinema Paradiso Suite - Cinema Paradiso
11. A Whole New World featuring Donna Summer - Aladdin
12. Schindler's List (Main Theme) - Schindler's List