Back by popular demand and fresh off the success of their GRAMMY®-nominated album, Dave Koz and Friends return with the Summer Horns Tour 2014. Koz and Special Guests Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot – four of today’s pre-eminent saxophone players – will deliver an evening of high-octane hits, including songs from their new album, Summer Horns, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and has been in the Top 10 ever since. The GRAMMY-nominated Summer Horns is filled with imaginative takes on horn-era classics by such artists as Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Tower Of Power, Blood, Sweat & Tears, James Brown and Sly & The Family Stone. Koz – hailed by The New York Times as “a musician of unflappable rhythmic aplomb, which he happily squares against the airtight funk of his band” – will be joined by Mindi Abair, featured saxophonist on the 2011 and 2012 seasons of “American Idol” who joined Aerosmith on their 2012 Summer Tour; Gerald Albright, known for his acclaimed solo recordings and performances with Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, and The Temptations; and Richard Elliot, a former member of Tower of Power who has since forged a successful solo career. With support from Dave’s stellar band, they’ll get the groove on, playing songs from Summer Horns and the hottest hits from their individual catalogues, making this a not-to-be-missed night out for music fans.

One of the most popular smooth jazz and pop saxophonists, Dave Koz came onto the scene after his self-titled 1990 release hit the Billboard contemporary jazz charts and remained there several weeks. Dave also played on the original Arsenio Hall Show, increasing his popularity with the urban contemporary, light jazz, and pop audiences. Known for his cool instrumental pop covers and  upbeat tunes, Dave embraces the fusion style. His most memorable works include 1993's _Lucky Man_, 1999's collaboration-packed _Dance_, 2001's _A Smooth Jazz Christmas_, and the motion picture music themed _At the Movies_ (2007).  He released two live albums, Live at Soho (2011) and Live at the Blue Note Tokyo (2012) and in 2013, Dave released his latest studio album _Summer Horns_. The set was billed as Dave Koz & Friends and was recorded in collaboration with fellow saxophonists Gerald Albright, Mindi Abair and Richard Elliot (all appearing on this Smooth Cruise bill), with guest appearances by Michael McDonald, Brian Culbertson, Rick Braun, Jonathan Butler, and Jeffrey Osborne.          

Jazz and R&B icon Gerald Albright is considered one of the most innovative and successful artists of the last 25 years. One of the biggest stars of R&B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz, he’s earned a reputation as a “musician’s musician.”  The Los Angeles born musician began piano lessons at an early age. His love of music flourished when he was given a saxophone that had belonged to his piano teacher. By the time he enrolled at the University of Redlands, he was already a polished saxophonist. He made the switch to bass guitar after seeing Louis Johnson in concert. A few months after graduating college, jazz pianist/R&B singer Patrice Rushen was forming her own band and he joined her on sax.  When the bass player left mid-tour, Albright replaced him, finishing the tour on bass guitar. During the ’80s, Gerald became a highly requested session musician, playing on albums artists including Anita Baker, Ray Parker, Lola Folana, Atlantic Starr, Olivia Newton-John, the Temptations, and Maurice White. He also toured extensively with Les McCann, Jeff Lorber, Teena Marie, the Winans, Marlena Shaw, Quincy Jones, and Whitney Houston, among others. He went on to record several successful solo albums. Two hit the #1 on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Chart, and were nominated for Grammy Awards in 1989 and 1990. In 1998, Phil Collins asked Gerald to front a Big Band and they toured together. They also recorded one of Albright’s tunes, “Chips N’ Salsa” on Collins’ Big Band Project, entitled “A Hot Night In Paris.” Later that year, Gerald released “Pleasures of the Night” with Will Downing which hit #1 on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Most recently, “Sax for Stax” received a 2009 Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album and “Pushing the Envelope” followed suit in the same category in 2010.

Rick Braun, a master of  powerful, timely collaborations, launched the millennium with “Shake It Up” with Boney James (sharing a Best Collaboration award for their 2000 hit which held #1 on the Billboard chart for 11 weeks) and went on to work with Kirk Whalum and Norman Brown as BWB,  toured in 2005 and 2007 as part of Jazz Attack, then with Peter White and Jonathan Butler, and continued to collaborate in 2007 teaming up with saxman Richard Elliot for RnR. He returns to the Smooth Cruise in this latest Jazz Attack collaboration.

With a best-selling discography of 15+ releases since 1986’s “Initial Approach,” thousands of live dates in over two decades, and one of the largest and most loyal fan bases in contemporary urban jazz, multi-talented tenor saxophonist, composer and producer Richard Elliot has been on one of the most incredible rolls since the 2005 release of “Metro Blue,” which debuted at #2 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart.  The Scotland born, L.A.-raised Elliot found his musical voice on tenor as a teen and landed his first professional gig touring with Natalie Cole and The Pointer Sisters while in high school. Before joining Tower of Power he played in the adventurous fusion band Kittyhawk and did some dream recording sessions with his Motown heroes Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, and The Temptations. He later performed with Melissa Manchester and Yellowjackets, hooking up for the first time with the legendary fusion band’s founding drummer the late Ricky Lawson.  Elliot was still on the road with TOP when he released his 1986 debut album “Trolltown.” Its success gave him the confidence to leave the band for a solo career, which has been rockin’ steady ever since. Over the years, he’s had four #1 albums (“On The Town,” “Soul Embrace,” “After Dark” and “Jumpin’ Off”) plus several #1 airplay singles.  He has performed in all-star tours including Groovin’ For Grover, Jazz Attack, Guitars & Saxes, and the RnR tour with Rick Braun.