Dave Koz and Friends bring Christmas tour to San Diego
By Gina Yarbrough
San Diego, CA–Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz will bring his 26th anniversary edition jazz-based Christmas tour to Balboa Theatre in San Diego on December 19.
Dave Koz and Friends will perform renditions of timeless Christmas classics – including songs from the saxophonist’s latest holiday album, “Christmas Ballads (25th Anniversary Collection)” – plus a Chanukah medley and hits from each artist’s respective catalog.
The tour reunites Koz with long-time musical partner, guitarist, and singer Jonathan Butler, and features special guests saxophonist and flutist Marcus Anderson, making his Dave Koz and Friends debut, and vocalist Rebecca Jade, marking her third outing with the tour. The run will also introduce musical prodigy Justin-Lee Schultz, a 16-year-old South Africa-born, U.S.-based pianist, guitarist, vocalist, and social media sensation.
The Dave Koz and Friends at Sea cruise embarked on an unforgettable journey across the open waters in May, raising an impressive $250,000 for Starlight Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to delivering happiness to hospitalized kids and their families. These funds will allow Starlight to place its vital programs – including Hospital Gowns, Virtual Reality, Gaming, and Toy Deliveries – in 30 affiliate hospitals where they are most needed along Koz’s Christmas tour route, just in time for the peak holiday season. He plans to help the nonprofit deliver smiles to kids by dropping in at one of the hospitals along the tour route to present them with Starlight programs and engage with pediatric patients. Since joining forces with Starlight in 1993, Koz and his community of friends and fans have raised over $1.5 million through various initiatives for Starlight.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Dave and his community for their continuous support over the years to bring joy to hospitalized kids battling illnesses and injuries. Dave and his community exemplify the power that individuals and grassroots donors can have in making a huge impact on hospitalized kids and their families,” said Adam Garone, Starlight Children’s Foundation CEO. “This generous gift will help us continue our work in transforming hospital experiences so young patients can rediscover the joy of childhood, no matter what they’re going through.”
Dave Koz’s new single, “When You Wish Upon A Star,” and Justin-Lee Schultz’s “Fellowship” featuring Dave Koz are currently climbing the Smooth Jazz Top 100 chart.
Tickets are on sale at https://www.davekoz.com/tour.
