Dave Koz is a longtime favorite at the McCallum Theatre. The Grammy Award-nominated saxophonist boasts 11 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, and you may have seen him performing on late night television, or even for presidents. His innovative sax skills provide tasty and creative takes on classic tunes, and unique brass power on his many original songs. Koz’s musical wizardry has taken him all over the world—yet he keeps coming back to Palm Desert. You can catch Koz on the 27th Annual Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour at the McCallum Theatre on Sunday, Dec. 22. For tickets and more information, visit mccallumtheatre.org.
What was the first concert you attended?
Earth, Wind and Fire at the Forum in Los Angeles, where I grew up. Spandex, pyro, amazing sets and, of course, all that killer music. I was not only hooked musically, but seeing that show made me appreciate how much can go into a concert … these guys put on a SHOW. As an artist myself, that’s what I aim to do with every tour stop. Well, without the spandex.
What was the first album you owned?
Tower of Power, Back to Oakland. I wore that LP out. The tightness of the horn section and all of the amazing arrangements—it was the beginning of my absolute love for the horn bands that ended up shaping my musicality: Chicago; EW&F; Blood, Sweat and Tears, Kool and the Gang; the list goes on and on!
What bands are you listening to right now?
I am crazy about Khruangbin, the guitar trio from Texas. I love the sound—so retro, and yet so musically forward, and mostly instrumental, which I love.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I appreciate it, but rap is not a genre that I find myself listening to on my own. If I hear it out somewhere, or in a friend’s car, I will, of course, listen, and I can appreciate the precision and artistic expression of the art form.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Elvis Presley, or Frank Sinatra. I missed both when they were alive. It would’ve been so amazing to experience either of them in a live setting. I’ve heard tons of stories, though!
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Listening to the Great American Songbook, all the standards playlists. I love that music so much. All the songs are such amazing pieces of music, and are more than just notes on a page. These are melodies and lyrics written by some of the greatest songwriters of all time, and the songs simply hold up—all these years later!
What’s your favorite music venue?
Growing up in Los Angeles (Tarzana), my mom and dad took my brother, sister and me to the Hollywood Bowl to see many concerts. My parents were big arts-appreciation people, so they wanted to expose their kids to all different types of music. That venue is our “Carnegie Hall.” So many amazing acts have played there over the years. It’s been a HUGE honor to take the stage there myself many times. I still get SO nervous!
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Moon River” by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. If pressed to say what my favorite song is of all time, that would be it. So plaintive, so innocent, so beautiful!
What band or artist changed your life? How?
The jazz keyboardist Jeff Lorber. It was 1986, and I got a call from Jeff to audition for a new band he was putting together. I won the audition, and very soon after was traveling the world with Jeff. But what I didn’t expect was for him to nurture me as a solo artist, helping me write and produce my first demo (on cassette!) that would later wind up on the desk of veteran music exec Bruce Lundvall. By 1987, I was signed to Capitol Records, recording my first solo album. NONE of it would’ve happened without Jeff Lorber.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask it to Stevie Wonder, and the question would be about keeping relevant—how someone like him, being such a public figure and star, can keep pushing himself and his audience almost 60 years into his career. How does he remain SO authentically HIM? Is there a secret to it all?
What song would you like played at your funeral?
A song that I’ve played for several funerals myself: “Over the Rainbow.” It just seems to sum it all up!
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
I’m going to say Weekend in L.A. by George Benson. That it was captured LIVE makes it all the more meaningful. This is real musicianship at its finest, and you could “feel” every note on this recording, almost as if you were actually there the night it happened.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.
