Dave Koz (born March 27, 1963, in Los Angeles, California, USA) is an American smooth jazz saxophonist, composer, radio host, and producer. He is one of the most recognizable figures in contemporary jazz and smooth jazz, known for his warm soprano saxophone tone, melodic playing style, and crossover appeal.
Koz grew up in the San Fernando Valley in a musical family. Although he studied mass communications at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), his career shifted toward music after he began playing saxophone in local bands. His big break came when he joined the touring band of pop singer Bobby Caldwell in the late 1980s.
Koz became a sought-after session musician, working with artists such as, Jeff Lorber, Richard Marx, Natalie Cole, and Ray Parker Jr.
In 1990, he released his self-titled debut album and quickly became a major artist in the smooth jazz scene. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s he became a regular presence on contemporary jazz charts and a frequent Grammy Award nominee.
Beyond recording and touring, Koz has had a strong media presence. He hosted The Dave Koz Radio Show, a syndicated smooth-jazz program, and is also known for organizing the popular Dave Koz & Friends Christmas Tour, which began in the late 1990s and continues as a major holiday jazz event.
Koz has also collaborated widely with artists across jazz, pop, and R&B, including Barry Manilow, Luther Vandross, and Brian McKnight.
Music
Dave Koz (1990)
Lucky Man (1993)
Off the Beaten Path (1996)
The Dance (1999)
December Makes Me Feel This Way (2001)
Saxophonic (2003)
At the Movies (2007)
Greatest Hits (2008)
Hello Tomorrow (2010)
Summer Horns (2013) – with Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair, and Richard Elliot
The 25th of December (2014)
Collaborations: 25th Anniversary Collection (2015)
Summer Horns II: From A to Z (2018)
A New Day (2020)
Ultimate Christmas (2022)