By MK Scott
I have been a fan of saxophone player Dave Koz for over 32 years. It was April 1, 1993. The TV soap opera General Hospital was celebrating its 30th anniversary episode. The new theme debuted with a jazzy, easy-listening, contemporary version of the previous theme, called Faces of the Heart, and the composer and sax player was Dave Koz.
The new theme lasted through August 2004. Koz himself would appear as himself on occasion over the years. On April 1st, Koz returns to Seattle’s Jazz Alley, 32 years after debuting the theme for General Hospital.
Dave Koz has collaborated with many artists over the years, including Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow, Valerie Simpson, Gloria Estefan, Luther Vandross, Shelby Lynne, Kenny Loggins, U2, Michael McDonald, Rod Stewart, and the Foo Fighters. He also hosts two radio programs: The Dave Koz Radio Show and The Dave Koz Lounge, which appear on SiriusXM Watercolors and air nationally every Sunday. Koz completed a four-year term on the Grammy Foundation Artists Committee and has served as National Trustee for the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS). He’s the recipient of the 2023 Starlight Children’s Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award and has served as a global ambassador for the foundation for 30 years. With help from his fans, he has raised over two million dollars for Starlight through the Dave Koz & Friends At Sea cruise silent auction.
Joining him will be multiple Grammy winner and Fourplay founder, composer/arranger/producer/pianist Bob James, a legend in the world of jazz, with a discography of more than 58 albums. A pioneer in the sounds and style that came to be known as contemporary jazz, Bob’s shadow looms large over the music world of the last 50+ years. His music seamlessly melds genres, from bop to pop, from classical to R&B, via relatively simple, accessible, and elegant melodies with rich harmonies and multiple sonic textures, often anchored by lithe, funky grooves.
I could only chat with one of these legends, so I arranged a Zoom call with Koz. From this interview, I learned that he has no regrets about coming out as a gay man in 2004. I also once saw him live in 1988 while he was touring with legendary singer Richard Marx.
Here are the highlights.
On Working with the Great Bob James:
“We haven’t actually done any shows yet. I’m going to fast-forward into the future and simply tell you that it’s a dream come true to be able to share the stage with a true master, somebody whose music has been a part of so many people’s lives for so many decades, and he’s such an incredible human being. This is a very special project for both of us—something that the two of us have never done in our professional careers. We created a project that is so kind of naked and bare and without any sort of net. I think for both of us, this was a really great challenge and also a really fun opportunity to just live and breathe this music together in a real commitment to the duo form—just two musicians feeding off each other in a live situation. This album was recorded, for the most part, live in Bob James’ living room in northern Michigan, in a city called Traverse City. He lives right on a beautiful lake called Long Lake. So we would be inspired by the natural setting and just feeding off each other musically. We didn’t set out to make an album. That’s the interesting thing. It was actually his idea to record a couple of songs for a particular cruise that we were doing. He wanted to record a couple of songs specifically for this group of guests as a special thing for them. That’s why we got together in the first place. But when we got together, it was like, ‘Wow, this is really fun. This is very inspiring, and something different for us.’ When I left that first meeting, I spent a couple of days in his home, we recorded the songs, and I said to him, ‘I don’t feel like we’re done yet. Can I come back?’ About six weeks later, I returned, and there was this album waiting to be uncovered. Here we are, with this album coming out on March 7th. It’s called Just Us, and that’s really what this project is—just us.”
On the 62nd Anniversary of General Hospital:
“It’s an amazing thing that the show is still going strong after all these years. I remember when my brother and I were asked to do that theme for the 30th anniversary. I thought, ‘Wow, 30 years is a long time,’ but 62 years is really a long time. But yeah, that’s the staying power of General Hospital. It’s amazing. People have been watching it for so many years.”
On his 1994 Hit with Charles Pettigrew on Vocals, the Title Track Lucky Man:
“The title track to that album, Lucky Man, which Charles was the lead singer of the group Charles & Eddie, who were very popular at the time. They had a big hit, and Charles and I were label mates on Capitol. Our label put us together, and he came in and sang that. I remember that day so well. He was such a gentle soul—very, very quiet and gentle, and a beautiful singer. Sadly, he passed away a number of years ago [2001]. He had such a soft and sweet, emotionally resonant voice. I think he got sick and passed—maybe it was cancer or something—but he was a very young man [37]. That was a big loss.”
After Coming Out in 2004, Have You Found Love?
“Going back to that moment, I didn’t think that I would ever come out, honestly. I was a very, very shy kid. I grew up in a time when… I don’t know what your age is, but we’re probably somewhere in the same age group. So, yeah, when I was growing up as a young gay kid, it was not like you had to hide who you were. That’s just the way it was. You could come out, but it was really—especially if you had a more public-leaning career—it was not advised. So, I grew up thinking to myself, ‘I’ll never, ever share this side of me.’ But something happened in 2004 that I just was not willing to be two halves of one person. I really needed to feel like one person. And so, this opportunity came up, and I said, ‘I’m willing to risk it, if my career ends. I’m willing to risk that to be a whole person.’ And not only did that not happen, but so much changed, and actually, nothing changed career-wise—except everything got better. But all the change happened inside of me. I was able to, for the first time, really be a whole person. It brought a tremendous amount of love into my life. I look back on it now, over 20 years later, and it was one of the best things I could ever do—the best gift I’ve ever given myself was coming out. And now, coming out is not necessary anymore. It’s like being in the closet—it’s actually the new way of being out. You don’t have to share who you are. One day you can be this, and the next day something different. I love how this has changed and how the power of authenticity is placed back into individuals to share as they see fit, when they see fit.
Yeah, it’s just been a really interesting ride, and I’m very grateful for it. I’m very grateful that I was able to do it. I think if I got to the end of my life and I didn’t do it, I would have felt like there was a missed opportunity. I’m grateful I made that transition. And now, being on stage and being exactly who I am—there’s a tremendous freedom that accompanies that, musically and otherwise.”
Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley presents, for the first time together, living legends Bob James and Dave Koz for one night only, on tour in support of their new release JUST US. Show times Tuesday at 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Doors open at 6:00pm.
Advanced table purchases/reservations can be made on our website at jazzalley.com or by phoning Jazz Alley at 206-441-9729 and are always advised. Purchases are non-refundable. All shows are all ages. FREE PARKING is available at 2010 5th Avenue night of show. Full menu available at all shows and dining is optional.
