A passion for jazz and everything else

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

In a 14-year career, award-winning saxophonist Dave Koz has completed six albums and played with headliners such as Celine Dion, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart and Julio Iglesias. Gannett News Service Dave Koz With the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra 8 p.m. today and Saturday Blaisdell Concert Hall $15-$57 792-2000 With Daniel Ho as opening act

"I had a bunch of production work for the radio show," he said of the necessary studio time for "The Dave Koz Show" on KTWV, the Smooth Jazz station in Los Angeles. "Most of the time, I can do it live from wherever I am — except it will be 3 a.m. in Hawai'i, and it's not so easy."

Best known as an award-winning saxophonist and a frequent studio musician for some of the industry's greats, Koz remains passionate about all that he does.

"I love radio because I get to talk with other artists who share my passion for music — and the consistent thread is collaboration," he said.

The Honolulu shows will reunite him with pops conductor Matt Catingub, "one of the biggest influences on my career and life, who was legendary when I was growing up in Los Angeles. I've been a fan from way back."

Though he's performed with orchestras at the Hollywood Bowl, Koz said the Catingub booking will be the first to showcase much of his own music, which Catingub arranged. "It's a dream come true; pretty cool."

Koz wasn't always a saxophonist; "I tried piano and drums as a kid, and I was awful," Koz recalled. "In seventh grade, the sax found me; my older brother had a band that played frat parties and weddings, and he needed a sax player — the minute I held one, it felt natural in my hands. I practiced my butt off for two years, and to finally shut me up, I was hired."

In a 14-year career, he's completed six albums and backed up a host of notables, from Celine Dion to Ray Charles. When he plays with others, Koz admits he's "a sponge, I try to soak it all up."

He marveled at a Rod Stewart gig: "He lives his life just like you think he would, as a rock star — the way he comes into the building, the way he dresses. He's very warm, and you always know you're talking to Rod Stewart. So different from my life."

He also savored the time with Julio Iglesias. "It was one of the most fun sessions, late at night," he said. "Julio brought with him the most stunning women, dressed impeccably. And one of the best bottles of wine ever. I hadn't played one note until I had an hourlong visit with him, getting to know him, sharing the wine. I know my solo would have been very different had we not done that before the session."

His annual "Dave Koz & Friends' 'A Smooth Jazz Christmas' " tour, launched two years ago, made its rounds again this year, reuniting pals David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell and Peter White, and earning a Grammy nomination.

One of his pet projects is the Starlight Foundation, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes for terminally ill children. "It's a bittersweet experience," Koz said. "I know first-hand the smiles they put on faces — but it's a tough thing to see. I'm happy to serve and raise awareness."