Dave Koz in Mesa

Dave Koz is an American saxophonist born in Encino, California, in 1963. He plays smooth and contemporary jazz, and his self-titled 1990 debut established his solo career. His catalog includes the albums The Dance and Saxophonic, as well as the tracks “You Make Me Smile” and “Together Again.” In 1997, Dave Koz began the annual Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour, a holiday concert series featuring his band and changing guest vocalists and instrumentalists. He extended that collaborative format to the Dave Koz and Friends at Sea cruises, first held in 2011. The 2013 Summer Horns tour then paired him with fellow saxophonists Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair and Richard Elliot. His concerts are full-band performances centered on soprano, alto and tenor saxophone. Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater has hosted his holiday concerts. In California, he has presented the same band-led program at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.