Dave Koz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dave Koz
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Koz in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | David Stephen Koz |
| Born | March 27, 1963 Tarzana, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, rock, glam rock, heavy metal (formerly) |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer, record producer, radio personality |
| Instruments | Soprano and alto saxophones (primary), tenor saxophone (secondary), baritone saxophone (formerly), piano, keyboard |
| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | Capitol, EMI, Rendezvous, Concord |
| Associated acts |
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David Stephen Koz, born on March 27, 1963, is an American musician. He is famous for playing the saxophone. Dave Koz is also a composer, who writes music, a record producer, and a radio host. He lives in Los Angeles, California.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Dave Koz was born in Encino, California. His parents were Norman, a skin doctor, and Audrey, a pharmacist. Dave has a brother, Jeff, who is also a musician, and a sister named Roberta.
He went to William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. There, he played the saxophone in the school's jazz band. After high school, he studied mass communications at UCLA and graduated in 1986. Just a few weeks later, he decided to become a professional musician.
Dave Koz's Music Career
Soon after deciding to be a professional musician, Dave Koz joined Bobby Caldwell's band for a tour. Dave started as a rock saxophonist. In 1989, he changed his style to smooth jazz.
Throughout the 1980s, Koz played as a session musician in several rock bands. He also toured with Jeff Lorber. Dave was a member of rock musician Richard Marx's band. He toured with Marx in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During this time, he was also a guest saxophonist on The Arsenio Hall Show. He also played in the house band for The Pat Sajak Show.
Solo Albums and Famous Songs
In 1989, Dave Koz decided to start his solo career. He began recording music for Capitol Records. His albums include his first solo album, Dave Koz (1990), Lucky Man, The Dance, and Saxophonic. The album Saxophonic was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was also nominated for an NAACP Image Award.
He released his second album, Lucky Man, in 1993. While making this album, the TV show General Hospital asked him to play on their show. This happened after his song "Emily" was used in the show. After his TV appearance, the show's producer asked Koz to write a new theme song. Dave used parts of the old theme song and added his own smooth jazz style. The new theme, called "Faces of the Heart," first played on April 1, 1993. It was the show's theme until August 27, 2004. "Faces of the Heart" became the third song on his Lucky Man album.
Radio Shows and Cruises
In 1994, Dave Koz started hosting a radio show called The Dave Koz Radio Show. This show plays new music and has interviews with famous musicians. Dave also co-hosted The Dave Koz Morning Show on 94.7 The Wave in Los Angeles for six years. He left that show in 2007.
In 2002, Koz started his own record label called Rendezvous Entertainment. Since 2005, he has hosted yearly Dave Koz & Friends Jazz Cruises.
Television Appearances and Collaborations
Dave Koz hosts a TV show called Frequency. On this show, he interviews musicians like Earth, Wind & Fire. At the end of each interview, he plays along with the musician.
He was also the bandleader for The Emeril Lagasse Show. His band was called Dave Koz & The Kozmos. Dave also hosts a weekly radio show on Sirius-XM Radio called "The Dave Koz Lounge."
On September 22, 2009, Dave Koz received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In October 2010, Koz performed a song called "Start All Over Again" on the TV show Desperate Housewives. In July 2012, he appeared on The Eric André Show.
In December 2014, he opened a restaurant and music venue in Beverly Hills, California. It is called Spaghettini & the Dave Koz Lounge.
In 2018, Koz worked with guitarist Cory Wong on two songs. They worked together again in 2021 for an album called The Golden Hour. In 2022, Koz collaborated with singer-songwriter Ben Rector on the song "Supernatural."
In March 2025, Dave Koz released an album called Just Us. This album features duets with Bob James. It has seven new songs and three classic songs. The album is unique because it only features the saxophone and piano.
Instruments Dave Koz Plays
Dave Koz mainly plays the saxophone. He uses a Yamaha silver alto saxophone and a Yamaha straight silver soprano saxophone. He also sometimes plays a vintage Conn curved soprano sax. For tenor sax, he uses a Selmer Mark VI. He uses Rico Plasticover reeds. Dave Koz also plays keyboards and piano. He uses these instruments to write his songs.
Discography
Solo studio albums
- Dave Koz (1990)
- Lucky Man (1993)
- Off the Beaten Path (1996)
- December Makes Me Feel This Way (1997)
- The Dance (1999)
- A Smooth Jazz Christmas (2001)
- Golden Slumbers: A Father's Lullaby (2002)
- Saxophonic (2003)
- Golden Slumbers: A Father's Love (2005)
- At the Movies (2007)
- Memories of a Winter's Night (2007)
- Hello Tomorrow (2010)
- Ultimate Christmas (2011)
- Dave Koz and Friends: Summer Horns (2013)
- Rest (2014)
- Dave Koz & Friends: The 25th of December (2014)
- Dave Koz and Friends: 20th Anniversary Christmas (2017)
- Dave Koz and Friends: Summer Horns II From A to Z (2018)
- Gifts of the Season (2019)
- A New Day (2020)
- A Romantic Night In (The Love Songs Album) (2021)
Collaboration studio albums
- The Golden Hour | Dave Koz and Cory Wong (2021)
- Just Us | Bob James and Dave Koz (2025)
Awards and Nominations
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| Wins | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Nominations | 11 | ||||||||||||||||
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Note
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Dave Koz has been nominated for many awards for his music. He has received 11 nominations and won 1 award.
He has been nominated for nine Grammy Awards. These nominations include "Best Pop Instrumental Album" for albums like A Smooth Jazz Christmas and Saxophonic. He was also nominated for "Best Pop Instrumental Performance" for songs like "Blackbird" and "Honey-Dipped."
In 2011, Dave Koz won a Soul Train Music Award for "Best Contemporary Jazz Artist/Group" for his album Hello Tomorrow. He has also been nominated for an NAACP Image Award for "Outstanding Jazz Album."
See also
In Spanish: Dave Koz para niños
