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Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour at San Jose Civic

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Courtesy Walter Atkins

By Walter Atkins
January 21, 2023
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Dave Koz and Friends... provided a fun and romantic treat of family celebration and sharing the genuine spirit of the holidays.

Dave Koz and Friends 25th Anniversary Christmas Tour
San Jose Civic
San Jose, CA
December 22, 2022

Dave Koz

saxophone

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Koz and Friends were very comfortable performing at the Mission Revival-style San Jose Civic. The venue provided a festive environment for the Dave Koz and Friends' 25th Anniversary Christmas concert. Besides plentiful Christmas lights, the stage had lavishly decorated trees, and the festive crowd was ready for some holiday cheer. Saxophonist Koz 's accomplished Friends were trumpeter

Rick Braun

trumpet
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Rick Braun, guitarist

Peter White

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Peter White; pianist

Keiko Matsui

piano
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Keiko Matsui and vocalist

Rebecca Jade

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Rebecca Jade. They were all ebulliently supported by:music director/guitarist

Randy Jacobs

" data-original-title="" title="">Randy Jacobs, drummer Judge Williams, bassist

Nathaniel Kearney

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Nathaniel Kearney and keyboardist

Carnell Harrell

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Carnell Harrell.

The show opened with Koz's resounding version of "Winter Wonderland" that garnered big applause. He said the Civic was one of his favorite spots. The effervescent Koz went into "Have A Merry Christmas" with Braun coming out for a duet, followed by White's introduction. Matsui's tasty piano lead on the Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein tune "My Favorite Things" earned vigorous crowd appreciation. "Let it Snow" included an entertaining Braun solo. Vocalist Jade's engaging arraignment of

Irving Berlin

composer / conductor
1888 - 1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Irving Berlin's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm" gave many couples a reason to snuggle throughout the song and into the evening. The nimble Koz presented the holiday standard "The Christmas Song," made famous by

Nat King Cole

piano and vocals
1919 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat King Cole. Mariah Carey's enticing holiday hit "All I Want For Christmas" touched all the seasonal high points. Koz dedicated the upbeat "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" to America's service men and women. This Andrew Sisters track, along with the previous songs, showcased Jade's vocal dexterity alongside the musicians' strengths and sense of enjoyment. On "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," audience participation was happily encouraged. During Willlams' serious drum solo, host Koz offered enthusiastic support for his time keeper. Jacobs and Kearney both had ample time to stretch out under an approving Koz's gaze, During the performance, he thanked his fans for "Making us a part of your holiday season," and also mentioned that the band members all had new albums.

Koz's "Wrapped Up In Your Smile" was also directed to couples. Braun came out to start "The Little Drummer Boy" and was joined by White, Koz and Matsui. White shared a story about a little Austrian village in 1818 with a busted organ, and only an acoustic guitar to accompany the choir that was the source of "Silent Night." Matsui accompanied White on piano for this number. On "What Child Is This," vocalist Jade sung and played bass with vivacity. Koz eagerly discussed resumption of his jazz cruises and the silent auction that evening for Starlight, a local group making donations to Santa Clara Pediatrics. Matusi gave holiday greetings in Japanese and English and said that she enjoyed sharing the stage with Koz in San Jose. Jade proudly stated she was a Cal Berkeley graduate punctuated with a hearty "Go Bears!" White, whose mom was from France, said "Merry Christmas" in French. Braun, whose wife was German, gave greetings with a heavy German accent. They did a unique "Happy Christmas/Imagine" combining

John Lennon

guitar and vocals
1940 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lennon songs. Koz asked if people celebrated Hanukkah then performed the Adam Sandler song "Happy Hanukkah" with White.

Jade performed a song from her new album which blended the James Bond theme and

Bob Marley

guitar
1945 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Bob Marley's "Get Up Stand Up." Koz did one of his classics before the finale joined by Matsui with keyboards. Koz endorsed observing Hanukkah, adding that whatever you're celebrating this year, including Kwanzaa, it should be with generosity of spirit.

For his appropriate encore, Koz selected

Louis Armstrong

trumpet and vocals
1901 - 1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Louis Armstrong's timeless "What A Wonderful World." Braun opened while Koz and Jade shared vocals with the entire group playing on the uplifting composition. The entire venue was standing and savoring the moment. The 25th Anniversary edition of the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour provided a fun and romantic treat of family celebration and sharing the genuine spirit of the holidays.

Dave Koz �� Dave Koz & Friends: Christmas Ballads (25th Anniversary Collection)

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