Dave Koz: Hello Tomorrow

Sharing a glass of wine and the smooth, soulful, sultry sounds of jazz with friends and family is one of the beautiful pleasures in life, and saxophonist extraordinaire Dave Koz is able to deliver both the music and the libation.

Dave, who was once the band leader on The Emeril Lagasse Show, has made music with some of the greatest luminaries in the world for more than 20 years, including Barry Manilow, Burt Bacharach, Celine Dion, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Loggins, Luther Vandross, Michael McDonald, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Rod Stewart, Vanessa Williams, and U2 that has earned him a much deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Dave left Capitol Records in 2010 after 20 years and went to a new record label. The album Hello Tomorrow reflected a larger personal change.

We’re in an era where everything we took for granted is up for grabs. Apprehension always comes with big changes. Millions of people have a similar story—the loss of a job in an economic downturn, the end of a marriage, a new career, any circumstances that force them to step in a different direction or reinvent themselves in some way. They reach a point where they see a life ahead of them they never expected. It’s a new day full of new challenges and opportunities and we’d be wise to embrace it.”

– Dave Koz

Here is a great video with Dave performing “The Shadow of Your Smile” with Johnny Mathis. It’s pure magic.

In addition to being an incredible musician, Dave also has his own line of Koz wine, which is the primary reason I interviewed him for the July 2012 “Food & Wine” issue of Luxury Las Vegas magazine.

I love being creative and celebrating the best there is in life. A bottle of wine is just a bottle of wine until you share it with others. Then it becomes a concert hall or an arena or a jazz club. We live in such a fast-pace society that we forget to stop and appreciate where we’ve at. Wine by its very nature encourages us to savor life. There are thousands of different wines and each one has a different point of view, just like a song.”

– Dave Koz

Dave told me that a friend suggested he start his own wine label. He was reluctant to because he knew nothing about wine other than to drink it, but he was willing to do it if the proceeds would benefit “The Starlight Children’s Foundation,” which helps seriously ill children and their families. Dave has served as the organization’s Global Ambassador for years. He partnered with Whole Foods stores in some states, so every time someone raises a glass of Koz wine they are helping families in need. That is an example of caring about something that is so much bigger than yourself.

LIFE LESSON: Imagine what we could accomplish if we didn’t limit ourselves by saying, “I’m not good at that,” or “That’s too hard.” Life is richer when we stretch beyond what we think we’re capable of.

I never thought I’d ever sky dive, and though I’ll never do it again, it’s one of the highlights of my life—a reminder that I’m stronger than my fears. Author Marianne Williamson says “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

Dave Koz is a sensitive, warm, compassionate, authentic, conscious-thinking man. From the moment we started talking, it felt easy and natural like we’d known each other forever. That’s how it is with some people. They show you right away who they are. He was open about everything, including being gay.

I have a short fuse for small-minded people who can’t see another person’s point of view. I say that as a gay man who wants to have the right to marry someone if I choose to. The fact that people still espouse beliefs that are so blatantly unequal pisses me off. I did a music video in support of marriage equality called, “This Guy’s In Love With You” that earned the director, Graham Streeter, the Grand Prize for Panasonic’s “Shoot It, Share It” online video contest.”

– Dave Koz

This video is about diversity and the freedom of people of all colors, races and sexual preferences to love who they want. Imagine if we were committed to creating an inclusive world where love is more important than trying to control, dictate, judge, manipulate, suppress, stifle, and restrict others because of they are different than us. Hate is passed down from generation to generation, but love is stronger than hate.

Let’s all welcome tomorrow with compassion, love, gratitude, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and grace. I think Dave Koz is one of those human beings who exemplifies those things.

Enjoy my full interview with Dave Koz as it appeared in Luxury Las Vegas magazine.

Also check out Dave’s annual Dave Koz & Friends At Sea Cruise which is posted on his website. It would be incredible to go to Italy, Sicily and Greece with Dave and his friends next year. One of those memories you cherish for a lifetime.