SPOTLIGHT
Whether it’s a crackling fire, the shimmering lights on the tree or the gathering of friends and family, the celebration of Christmas, in all denominations, is a very special time of year. Saxophonist, Arranger/Writer and Producer Dave Koz, at this time of year, hits the road and shares his holiday music and joy. With a new collection of his very finest Christmas recordings called Ultimate Christmas and a current tour which has crossed the United States since the day after Thanksgiving, Koz (aka. “Mr. Kloz”) has evoked the sounds of the season for 14 years now. His current Christmas tour brings him and his fellow musicians near for two performances at The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on December 16 and 17 along with a one-night performance in San Diego at The Balboa Theatre onDecember 23rd.
You have released three Christmas albums and now have taken what you feel are the very best out of those previous releases to present on your newly-releasedUltimate Christmas. How did you want to wrap up this collec- tion in selecting the songs you picked? It’s funny, you’re right. I’m a Jewish guy from Los Angeles and this is my
fourth Christmas collection. So, what’s wrong with that picture? But it turns out, I love holiday music… I always have and grew up with it around the house and my family. My parents loved it too. Even though I grew up Jewish and celebrated Hanukkah, I loved that music. It just seemed like it was time to put out a collection. We’ve never done the “best of” of the releases. Also, I was able to write and record a beginning and an end piece, almost like bookends. I basically went through the records and picked my favorite songs. They had a nice balance of energies and tempos and special guests. The songs for me at least, personified the best Christmas music and melodies. Your rendition of “Santa Claus is coming to Town” reminds me of a South Sea island Christmas while you added a real down home country-vibe to “Sleigh Ride.” With songs that have been played every holiday season for many years, was it a challenge to present these songs in a new light? “Sleigh Ride” in particular… I was like, “Oh, it’s a hoedown!” (Laughter) Those both come from an album called,December Makes Me Feel This Way, in which the instrumentation was al-
most like a country recording or bluegrass recording. There were a lot more guitars on that and it was all done live in the studio. The interesting thing about Christmas music is that these melodies
are SO good Bill, that every year, artists record them and song lists don’t change that much. There may be a few new songs but for the most part… they’re all classics. I think that is where artists really get a chance to put their stamp on it. To me, it’s not daunting. It’s exciting to think, “How can I make the saxophone really come alive on this song?” Is there one Christmas song that harkens you back to your childhood? “White Christmas” is the one. For me, it is the quintessential Christmas
song. It’s certainly a classic. I get a chance to play that… that’s how we open our show. We set up this almost magical and mythical setting. It’s very Cirque de Sol and very dramatic. The next thing you hear is the beginning of “White Christmas.” That song, for me triggers that emotional holiday feeling. We try each year to make it different and fun. We’re always trying to mix it up! You are also sharing the stage with another saxophonist, Candy Dulfer, along with trumpeter, Rick Braun and guitarist, Jonathan Butler. It’s a lot of fun as a sax player, to share the stage with
STOCKING STUFFERS FROM DAVE KOZ
His favorite Christmas movie? White Christmas His first memories of getting a holiday gift that he really wanted? It was one of those board games that I really wanted at the time. What is one of his favorite things to do on December 25th? There are so many movies that I have not been able to see when I’m out on tour. I
catch up on the movies with a big tub of buttered popcorn.” One album he always listens to during the holiday? There are two. One is Vince Guaraldi’s A Charlie Brown Christmas and The Nat King Cole Christmas Album.”
her. There are a lot of moments in the show that really play upon the fact, that we’re both sax players. There are some really nice moments for her and me together, to have some fun. She is such a great sport. She’s so gorgeous, her musicality is off the chart and she has just such a wonder- ful spirit. She’s a gem. Do you plan on performing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” on the tour? You bring out a lot of sex appeal to
this Christmas song. Your rendition makes me want to pull out the mistletoe and slow dance. The tempo is beautiful. Oh wow… that’s a nice thing to say. Thank you. We are doing the song
and we do it in ballad form. There is a section of our tour this year, where we honor the icons of holiday music. One of the singers who I am honoring is Frank Sinatra and his recording of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” You will actually hear Sinatra sing the first version, and then I take it over on the saxophone. It is very romantic. It’s got an interesting mix of sad and hopeful. I really love that piece of music. Oh, nice. Dave, the very best of holiday wishes and thanks. Thanks so much as always.
DAVE KOZ by bill biss
48
RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2011
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76