Led by seven-time GRAMMY® nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz, this year's run is featuring special guests GRAMMY-nominatedpianist/composer David Benoit, who appeared in the original 1997 line-up and was instrumental in the tour's creation; Javier Colon, who sang on Koz's Saxophonic album and was the winner of the inaugural season of NBC's hit television show, "The Voice," and the inimitable drummer/percussionist/vocalist Sheila E. (Prince, Cyndi Lauper. Ringo Starr), who makes her debut in the Christmas lineup after appearances on previous Dave Koz & Friends summer tours, and introducing singer/songwriter Margo Rey.
Together the quintet will perform hits from their respective catalogues and jam on fresh, fun arrangements of seasonal favorites. As always, there will be surprises, but Koz hints that the production will take things to a new level and will include a special medley of "Peanuts" holiday music inspired by Benoit, who has paid tribute to Vince Guaraldi's timeless music with several "Peanuts" themed albums.
Dave's summer tour, featuring inspirational/R&B/gospel icon BeBe Winans as special guest, elicited stellar reviews.The New York Times observed: "He's a musician of unflappable rhythmic aplomb, which he happily squares against the airtight funk of his band. And he's a frolicsome performer, given to hip swivels and bowlegged squats, along with a constant rotation of tenor, alto and soprano saxophones."
"Koz, of course, has become a concert staple in this town," said the El Paso Times, noting that he has sold out nine shows in the area in recent years. "One reason Koz keeps drawing crowds here is that he never does the same show twice." Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour comes to El Paso's Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center on December 13th.
Hello Tomorrow (Concord Records), Koz's latest album,was nominated for a GRAMMY award for Best Pop Instrumental Album and was named the "Best Smooth JazzAlbum of 2010" by iTunes and "Best Contemporary Jazz Album" at the 2011 Soul Train Awards. Produced by Marcus Miller and John Burk, Hello Tomorrow debuted at No. 1 on both Billboard's TopContemporary Jazz Albums chart and iTunes' Jazz Album chart. Dave has released 12 albums in the past 20 years, including four Christmas collections.
"I think the Christmas season gives us all a chance to go back in time, it's so nostalgic--and music plays such a big role in bringing out that feeling," says Koz. "It never ceases to blow me away, how much people love holiday songs--as evidenced by our 15th anniversary of this tour! This year especially, we'll try to fit in as many favorites as possible and add our own unique touches along the way."
CHRISTMAS TOUR SCHEDULE
Friday 11.23.12 Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Sarasota, FL
Saturday 11.24.12 Ruth Eckerd Hall
Clearwater, FL
Sunday 11.25.12 Kravis Center for the Performing Arts
West Palm Beach, FL
Tuesday 11.27.12 King Center for the Performing Arts
Melbourne, FL
Wednesday 11.28.12 Philharmonic Center for the Arts
Naples, FL
Friday 11.30.12 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Atlanta, GA
Saturday 12.01.12 The Carolina Theatre
Durham, NC
Monday 12.03.12 The Music Center at Strathmore
N. Bethesda, MD
Tuesday 12.04.12 Ferguson Center for the Arts
Newport News, VA
Wednesday 12.05.12 Mayo Performing Arts Center
Morristown, NJ
Thursday 12.06.12 Playhouse Square - Palace Theatre
Cleveland, OH
Friday 12.07.12 Palace Theatre
Columbus, OH
Saturday 12.08.12 Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL
Monday 12.10.12 Paramount Theatre
Denver, CO
Tuesday 12.11.12 Pikes Peak Center
Colorado Springs, CO
Wednesday 12.12.12 Bass Performance Hall
Ft. Worth, TX
*without Sheila E.
Thursday 12.13.12 The Plaza Theatre
El Paso, TX
*without Sheila E.
Friday 12.14.12 Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
Santa Rosa, CA
Saturday 12.15.12 Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa
Rancho Mirage, CA
Sunday 12.16.12 Nokia Theatre L.A. Live
Los Angeles, CA
Tuesday 12.18.12 The Smith Center
Las Vegas, NV
Wednesday 12.19.12 Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda
Mesa, AZ
Thursday 12.20.12 Granada Theatre
Santa Barbara, CA
Friday 12.21.12 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cerritos, CA
Saturday 12.22.12 Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
Cerritos, CA
Sunday 12.23.12 The Warfield Theatre
San Francisco, CA
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