Out gay saxophonist Dave Koz has released his eighth Christmas CD, Christmas Ballads, and will perform at the Chicago Theatre on Thursday, Dec. 8, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Dave Koz & Friends Christmas tour.
Joining Koz on the run will be Rick Braun, Peter White, Keiko Matsui and Rebecca Jade.
Highlights of the album include a subtly swinging version of the Sammy Cahn/Jules Styne classic “A Christmas Waltz,” producer Philippe Saisse’s uniquely arranged medley of “Away in a Manger/Silent Night,” Schubert’s “Ave Maria” and a passionate rendition of “Petit Papa Noel” from the 1946 French film Destins. Koz also provides a twist on The Carpenters’ “Merry Christmas Darling.” The album ends with “Wrapped Up In Your Smile,” a classic-styled Koz power ballad co-written with Saisse.
Tickets are on sale now at http://www.davekoz.com/tour.