Dave Koz & Friends Bring the Christmas Tour to the Philadelphia Area
Get ready to usher in the holiday spirit as smooth jazz legend Dave Koz returns for his 28th annual "Christmas Tour." The nine-time GRAMMY nominee and saxophonist extraordinaire is hitting the road again with a star-studded lineup of friends for a soulful, uplifting night of festive music and holiday cheer. This year, Koz is joined by special guests saxophonist Candy Dulfer, vocalist Oleta Adams, and jazz guitarist Jonathan Butler, ensuring an unforgettable show that mixes classic carols with contemporary jazz favorites. The tour kicks off this week and will visit cities nationwide through Christmas Day.
Koz recently sat down to discuss the tour and his love for Philadelphia.
“Well, we've been doing this Christmas trip for 28 years. It's ironic, because we started so many years ago just wanting to go out and play some Christmas music, and it just kept snowballing. People bringing their children. Over time, those children mature and have children of their own. I am grateful and honored that it has become a holiday tradition for so many individuals. Every year, we try new places as well as returning to familiar ones, and this one in the Philadelphia area is our first visit,” the grammy winner shared.
On this tour he’s being joined by some heavy hitters. One of them being Jonathan Butler as well as giving his platform to some rising stars.
“Jonathan Butler is a South African singer and guitarist who has been my partner in crime for the majority of these years, maybe more than half. Then, a few years ago, we decided to introduce newer artists and offer them a stage. So this year, we have three wonderful young artists. Kayla Waters is a great pianist, and Haley Reinhart is a well-known American Idol vocalist. According to Spotify analytics, she is easily the most famous person onstage. Her version of Elvis Presley's classic "I Can't Help Falling In Love" has had over half-a-billion streams. So she's really successful, a fantastic singer and chanteuse.”
Casey Abrams is another American Alumni to join them on the tour.
“He was the first jazz musician to reach the top three. The five of us know each other very well; we've appeared on our cruises together, but this is the first Christmas tour that we're doing with this specific instrumentation and performer combination,” Koz explained.
As the tour is a holiday classic, fans who have already visited will receive some of the standards while still experiencing some surprises.
Koz expounds by saying,”It's lovely to return to festive music every year. There is, of course, the religious repertory, which includes all the really old tunes that still stand up. Then there are several songs written throughout the Great American Songbook era. You can choose whichever songs you want. There is so much meat on the bones of these tunes. They are more than just songs. These pieces of music are an integral part of people's lives. There are so many excellent pieces of music. You can push and pull them, stretch them, and experiment with them, and the songs will always stand up and deliver. So, over the years, we've done a lot of the same songs, but we always do them in different ways to keep it fresh and entertaining for the audience. There are a number of songs like that that we have to do the same way. For example, when Jonathan sings Oh Holy Night, many people come to our event year after year only to hear him sing that song.”
The holidays are a special time, especially in Philadelphia, which has a rich musical history. During this season, people can be selective about how they spend their money on entertainment and are often seeking family-friendly outings. Dave Koz is a perfect fit because he has cultivated a strong connection with his audience. Tickets are selling quickly, so if attendees are interested in going, please visit https://thelansdownetheater.com/event/dave-koz-friends-christmas-tour/lansdowne-theater/lansdowne-pennsylvania/.
To purchase tickets.