by Susie Salva
Deck the halls – multiple Grammy nominee and pop instrumentalist/saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz releases a new holiday CD and the 10th anniversary edition of the "Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas tour 2007" Capitol Music Group releases "Memories of a Winter’s Night," Koz’s third holiday CD.
As one of the most enduring disc jockey’s on the Wave (KTWV) radio, Dave Koz brought a fresh voice to smooth jazz. "Memories of a Winter’s Night" takes it’s name from the Koz-penned title track a celebration of Hanukkah and features the contemporary pop artist interpreting 12 holiday standards.
Dave is joined in a duet by 20-year old Razor & Tie recording artist Kelly Sweet on the album’s first single "White Christmas." Sweet who scored a Top Ten hit at both Adult Contemporary and Smooth Jazz radio with "Raincoat," was a guest on the "Dave Koz and Friends At The Movies" Summer tour, which recently wrapped up at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. During that stint Sweet was both poised and refined like a veteran singer at her tender age.
Koz also sings a duet with Kimberly Locke who first garnered widespread attention as one of the top three finalists on "American Idol’s" second season (alongside Ruben Stoodard and Clay Aiken) and has since racked up five Top 10 Billboard AC hits.
Highlights on this disc include, "Deck the Halls," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," and "Hark! The Herald Angles Sing"(all previously unreleased) plus a few chestnuts from Dave’s two earlier holiday records, 1997’s "December Makes Me Feel This Way," and 2001’s "A Smooth Jazz Christmas." Brenda Russell pairs up with Koz for the rave-up "Boggie Woggie Santa Claus" which was penned by Leon Russell and smooth jazz stars Rick Braun, Peter White, and David Benoit shine on a stirring rendition of "Little Drummer Boy."
Dave and his special guests Jonathan Butler, Wayman Tisdale, and Kimberly Locke will be playing many of the songs from the album on the "Dave Koz and Friends A Smooth Jazz Christmas 2007" tour which launches on November 23rd. In addition to holiday standards, they’ll perform hits from their respective catalogues, including Koz’s recent chart-topping homage to classic film music, "At the Movies." Dave and his guests will be pulling out all the stops to make sure everyone gets into the holiday spirit!
