Who exactly are Dave Koz & his friends?

Some of you may not even know who Dave Koz is, let alone who his friends are, so allow me to introduce you to Dave Koz first. Koz is a smooth jazz saxophonist who is much in demand, especially during the Christmas season when he tours as Dave Koz & Friends.  We are very fortunate to host this show at the Niswonger this December 10.  For a number of years, this show has been performed in only large market cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Columbus.  This year, we are pleased to be on their tour for the Christmas season.

Each year, Dave invites a few of his musician friends to celebrate Christmas in a jazzy and soulful way.  This year, performing with Dave will be vocalist Oleta Adams, guitarist/singer Jonathan Butler, and pianist Keiko Matsui.  They each will take their turns sharing their own renditions of Christmas music, as well as sharing the stage with Dave and each other to create exhilarating Christmas arrangements. All are solo performers in their own right.

Oleta Adams is a spiritually uplifting soul vocalist who seamlessly blends jazz, gospel and pop influences into a seamless union of its own. Oleta’s Gospel release, Come Walk With Me, finds Oleta clearly representing who she is musically, continuing the stylings that have brought her such widespread acclaim. For Oleta, this album is truly a reflection of who she is spiritually. It is a musical statement from one who has wrestled with the basic issues of her faith, as well from one who rebelled against the demands and expectations of being a pastor’s child. This album could have been named “Full Circle”, for it is a testament to God’s faithfulness to his children.
Oleta remains anchored by her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest, where she first demonstrated her budding vocal gifts in the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church that her father served as minister. By the time Oleta was 11, she was directing and accompanying four choirs, having already established herself as a piano prodigy.

Jonathan Butler is a veteran singer/guitarist who hails from South Africa.  A life well lived is often the best foundation for compelling art and there’s no denying Butler has been blessed with a fascinating life. A South African native whose expansive musical gift has earned accolades in the R&B, contemporary jazz and gospel fields, Butler’s new release Grace and Mercy, is filled with the soulful sounds and insightful lyrics fans have come to expect from the veteran performer.

A key word in Butler’s life is balance and after years of touring the globe, he’s learned just how important time away from the spotlight can be. “These days I try to do a little bit of living in between. I balance my life,” he shares. “I’ve got to spend time living, and through living you come up with stories to talk about and songs to write. These songs are personal experiences. People always assume that because you’re a recording artist and you travel the world that you don’t have problems and you don’t have disappointments in your life, which is not true. We all do. This album truthfully and honestly lets people know that the songs that I’m writing are the things that I’m going through in this season. I’m hoping those songs will affect people in a positive and wonderful way.”

Keiko Matsui is a pianist who hails from Japan. Born in Tokyo, she started studying piano at the age of 5. In her native land, once you begin studying piano, you stay with it throughout your school years. By junior high, she started enjoying jazz music, which led her to start composing her own music through the influences of Stevie Wonder, Serge Rachmaninoff, and Chick Corea. After winning several awards in Japan, she moved to America to record her first album.  It is also where Keiko Doi became Keiko Matsui, marrying the producer of that album, Kazu Matsui. Since her first album in 1987, Matsui has gone on to record many others, as well as becoming one of the leading smooth jazz pianists touring the world.  She comes to Van Wert with Dave Koz on the heels of a tour of Russia.

As you can see, this Dave Koz & Friends Christmas concert is going to be a cornucopia of musical flavors; everything from jazz to Gospel to Blues.  I think it may be one of the most eclectic and entertaining Christmas shows we have ever presented.  Certainly the real story of Christmas will be reflected in these monumental musicians.  I am looking forward to this concert and I hope you are too!  Tickets are available online at NPACVW.ORG and at the box office: 419.238.6722 (NPAC).

I also hope to see all you Buckeye fans this Thursday as the Pride of the Buckeyes: The Ohio State University Marching Band, rolls into town.  Don’t forget to catch the band’s march from the elementary school to the Niswonger beginning around 6:30 p.m.  Stand along the route and cheer them on! Tickets are still available for the simulcast in the Lecture Hall.  You might be able to get a ticket that night. Let’s go Bucks!

FINÉ.