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Core cast reunites to mark 20 years of a
jazz Christmas institution

Dave Koz & Friends
Chicago Theatre
Chicago, IL
December 9, 2017

Dave Koz

Dave Koz & Rick Braun

Dave Koz

Story and photos by Andy Argyrakis

Before a single note rang through the air of the Chicago Theatre Saturday night, headliner Dave Koz casually strolled out on stage and greeted the near-capacity crowd. Given the fact it's the 20th anniversary of his Christmas tour, he flashed back to the year 1997, cheekily recalling the rage of Beanie Babies, the lack of smartphones and the days before his hair turned to gray.

But no matter how trends change (or the increasingly crazy nature of the world in general), one of the more comforting guarantees is the multi-platinum saxophonist's annual performance with some of top players in contemporary jazz. Given the significance of this specific edition, along with the accompanying "Dave Koz & Friends 20th Anniversary Christmas" album, the show's namesake was rejoined by pianist David Benoit and guitarist Peter White (his original partners from that very first year), plus frequent guest trumpet/flugelhorn player Rick Braun and relative newcomer Selina Albright (the vocalist daughter of fellow sax man Gerald Albright).

The more than two-hour, double act evening began with a festive "Winter Wonderland" and a massive medley from the four instrumentalists with the soulful singer joining in for the cozy "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm." But the cast just as frequently went beyond standard arrangements to wrap "The Christmas Song" with a Prince-styled guitar outro straight into "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" with "Santa Koz" providing some narration.

Several non-seasonal selections also hit the spot, including Koz's lively "Together Again" (during which he stood on Benoit's piano bench), Albright's inspiring "Possible," Braun's playfully romantic "Everything Is Alright," White's smooth tribute to Stevie Wonder via "Do I Do" and frequent "Peanuts" composer Benoit masterfully saluting Charles M. Schulz, Vince Guaraldi, Charlie Brown and the whole animated gang. In the second part, everyone resumed their collaborations and coaxed many to their feet for a mash-up that included bits of Hugh Masekela's "Grazing In The Grass," The Young Rascals' "Groovin," The Temptations' "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" and more.

However, it was the holiday spirit that prevailed, whether it was Koz's comical take on Adam Sandler's "The Chanukah Song" and his funky original "Eight Candles" to intimate renditions of the standard Christmas carols "Hark The Herald Angels Sing!/Angels We Have Heard On High" and "Silent Night." Even a finale of Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home" had a merry feel, reminding the now arm-in-arm audience that the most wonderful time of the year is all about being with loved ones, spreading kindness, and in this instance, taking a much-deserved jazzy breather from all the hustle and bustle.