Dave Koz has been a Yamaha artist since 1991. He performs on the Yamaha YAS-62II. His impact on the world of electric and acoustic jazz is profound. Besides his work with such artists as Jeff Lorber, U2, and Celine Dion he has appeared on several television shows and enjoys a successful career as a recording artist. Dave is an inspiring clinician and is an in-demand international performer.
"Yamaha is quite simply, the best choice for the professional saxophonist. I have been playing on Yamaha the past 15 years, and I have never felt the need to change...the craftsmanship, the attention to detail, the sound and the response, are all first rate. What I put in to the horn comes out of it effortlessly – there is no struggle. As far as my sound goes, Yamaha is a crucial piece of the puzzle, and the horns just dont disappoint!"
When Yamaha artist, Dave Koz, began playing his saxophone, he did not realize that he would eventually start his own record company, host multiple radio talk shows, and serve as a Global Ambassador for Starlight Childrens Foundation. Time and talent tend to shape one another and for Koz, his talent rapidly evolved as time progressed.
The roots of Kozs career began in L.A.s San Fernando Valley, where Koz was born and raised. He first picked up and played the saxophone as a tool in order to find his way into his brothers band. Luckily, his big brother did not squash his younger brothers hopes and Koz became a full-time music and saxophone enthusiast.
His first musical tour was with Bobby Caldwells band. While he was playing with Caldwell, he met keyboardist, Jeff Lorber, who invited Koz to join him on one of his tours as well. Koz became even more popular after his tour with Lorber and he caught the attention of yet another famous musician, Richard Marx.
Marx and Koz toured for 14 months. However, Marx was not the only celebrity to enlist Kozs unique skills. Koz has also performed with noted celebrities like: Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, U2, Luther Vandross and Vanessa Williams. Aside from playing the saxophone, Koz also composes, hosts a weekly syndicated radio show and works as an instrumental music advocate.
His radio program, "The Dave Koz Radio Show," features artist interviews and music. His other radio show, "Dave Koz in the Morning," reaches listeners from all over and is on the 5th ranked radio station in the Los Angeles market. One of his biggest projects is working as a Global Ambassador for the Starlight Childrens Foundation, where he works to preserve Americas cultural legacy and bring music to children in the classrooms.
Koz has received honors from organizations like the NAACP and won awards and nominations from The Recording Academy (Grammy Awards), and the Smooth Jazz Awards. His albums include several top five contemporary jazz hits from "Lucky Man," Off the Beaten Path," "December Makes Me Feel This Way," "Dave Koz & Friends-A Smooth Jazz Christmas," "Golden Slumbers: A Fathers Lullaby," and "The Dance."
Kozs latest release, "Saxophonic," mixes R&B, funk, jazz, pop, hip-hop, bebop, electronica and African folk. "Saxophonic" is not Kozs only current project. He also recently co-founded his own independent record company, Rendezvous Entertainment.
His musical career, his radio talk shows and his record company are based in Los Angeles, but his fans span across the nation and his musical artistry is universal.
