Dave Koz On Deck For Walk Of Fame Star

Saxophonist Dave Koz will receive the 2,389th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Sept. 22, marking 20 years as a professional jazz musician for the six-time Grammy nominee.

Barry Manilow and Chris Gardner, whose autobiography, “The Pursuit of Happyness” became a major motion picture, will join Koz in speaking in the ceremony in front of Capitol Records, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Fame, announced Monday.

Koz will perform his Grammy-nominated rendition of “Over the Rainbow” at the ceremony.



Born March 27, 1963 in Encino, Koz began taking piano lessons at a young age. He wanted to join his brother Jeff’s band, but was constantly rejected. Eventually, his brother said he could be in the band if he played the saxophone. He was in the band two years later.

As a student at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Koz played saxophone in the school’s jazz band. Koz graduated from UCLA in 1986 with a degree in mass communications.

Koz began his professional career by touring with Bobby Caldwell’s band, keyboardist Jeff Lorber and pop singer Richard Marx. He also played in the house band on the CBS late-night show “The Pat Sajak Show.”

Koz released his first solo album “Dave Koz” in 1990. His second album, “Lucky Man,” released in 1993, proved to be his best seller, achieving gold record status. “The Dance” released in 1999, also was a gold record.

Koz’s 2007 release “At The Movies,” a celebration of music from movies, spent 12 weeks atop Billboard’s top contemporary jazz chart. It included “Over the Rainbow,” which received a Grammy nomination.

Koz hosts a weekday afternoon show on the Smooth Jazz Radio Network and the syndicated weekend radio program “Dave Koz Jazz Show,” now its 15th year.

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