By MK Scott
I have been a fan of saxophone player Dave Koz for over 32 years.
It was April 1, 1993, when the TV soap opera General Hospital celebrated its 30th anniversary episode. The new theme debuted with a jazzy, easy-listening, contemporary version of the previous one, called “Faces of The Heart,” composed and played by Dave Koz. The new theme lasted until August 2004. Koz himself would occasionally appear as himself over the years.
Dave Koz has collaborated with many artists, 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 air on SiriusXM Watercolors 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 the help of his fans, he has raised over two million dollars for Starlight through the Dave Koz & Friends At Sea cruise silent auction.
On March 22, Koz returns to Chicago to perform at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Joining him will be composer, arranger, producer and pianist Bob James, a legend in the world of jazz with a discography of over 58 albums. A pioneer in the sounds and style that became known as contemporary jazz, Bob’s music seamlessly melds genres from bop to pop, classical to R&B, with elegant melodies, rich harmonies, and multiple sonic textures, often anchored by lithe, funky grooves. Koz and James have a new album out called Just Us, and this tour was designed to promote the album.
Koz spoke with Windy City Times about the upcoming show, and how he has no regrets about coming out as a gay man.
Windy City Times: Tell us a little bit about your show with Bob James.
Dave Koz: We haven’t actually done any shows yet. But 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 decades. He’s such an incredible human being. This is a very special project for both of us—something we’ve never done in our professional careers: creating a project that is kind of naked and bare, without any sort of net. I think for both of us, this was a great challenge and also a fun opportunity to 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 mostly live in Bob James’s living room in northern Michigan, in a city called Traverse City. He lives right on a beautiful lake, Long Lake. So we were 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 Bob’s idea to record a couple of songs for a specific cruise we were doing. He wanted to create something special for the guests. That’s how we got together in the first place. But when we did, it was like, “Wow, this is really fun. This is inspiring and something different for us.”
After that first meeting, I spent a couple of days in his home, and when I left, I said, “I don’t feel like we’re done yet. Can I come back?” About six weeks later, I returned, and there it was: this album waiting to be uncovered. Here we are, with the album coming out on March 7th. It’s called Just Us, and that’s really what this project is—just us.
WCT: You came out as gay in 2004. Have you found love?
DK: Going back to that moment, I didn’t think I would ever come out. Honestly, I was a very, very shy kid. I grew up in a time… I don’t know your age, but we’re probably in the same age group.
When I was growing up as a young gay kid, it wasn’t the same as it is now. You had to hide who you were. It wasn’t like you could come out easily, especially if you had a public career. I grew up thinking I’d never share that part of me. But in 2004, something happened—I just wasn’t willing to live as two halves of one person. I needed to feel like one whole person. An opportunity came up, and I decided I was willing to risk it. If my career ended, I was willing to risk that to be whole. Not only did that not happen, but everything changed for the better. Career-wise, nothing changed, but inside of me, so much changed. I was able to be a whole person for the first time, and it brought so much love into my life.
Looking back on it now, over 20 years later, I can say that coming out was one of the best things I ever did. It was the best gift I gave myself. Now, coming out isn’t as necessary. In fact, as I was watching a documentary yesterday, I realized that being in the closet is actually the new way of being out. You don’t have to share who you are—you can just be who you are when you’re ready, or you can be something different the next day. I love how this has changed, and how the power of authenticity is back in the hands of individuals, to share when they choose.
It’s been a really interesting ride, and I’m very grateful for it. If I had reached the end of my life and never made that transition, I would’ve felt like I missed an opportunity. I’m grateful I was able to do it. Now, being on stage and being exactly who I am—there’s a tremendous freedom that comes with that, musically and otherwise.
Dave Koz (with Bob James) will be playing at the Chicago Fine Arts Building on March 22 at 7:30 pm. For Tickets and information, visit here.