Dave Koz Brings His 'Friends Summer Horns Tour' To The Hollywood Bowl

Smooth Summer Jazz Dave Koz + Friends Summer Horns

By Darlene Donloe

Saxophonist Dave Koz is planning to hit all the right notes when he brings his Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns Tour to the iconic Hollywood Bowl on Sunday, Aug. 31.

This ultimate summer serenade promises to be a harmonious blend of jazz, funk, and R&B, featuring the saxophone mastery of smooth jazz legend Koz joined by Jonathan Butler, Kayla Waters, the Ohio Players and the summer horns of Marcus Anderson (saxophone), Jeff Bradshaw (trombone), Leo P (baritone saxophone), Evan Taylor (trumpet), vocalists Marcel Anderson and Marcus Anderson, with special guest R&B legend Regina Belle. 

Koz, a Grammy-nominated saxophonist and global jazz ambassador, has been a staple in the music industry for over three decades. 

With 12 No. 1 albums on Billboard's current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Koz has a reputation for getting the crowd moving. 

The Summer Horns tour celebrates the iconic horn sections of the 1970s, blending classic hits with modern arrangements. 

On Wednesday, Aug. 13, Koz and the Summer Horns were en route to a performance in Napa when their plane was delayed.  The group was scheduled to perform as part of the Blue Note Summer Sessions at the Meritage Resort on Friday, Aug. 15. However, their flight from St. Louis to Seattle was diverted to Boise, Idaho.

Without missing a beat, the group took out their instruments and turned a delayed flight, due to mechanical issues, into an impromptu in-flight concert in the aisle of the plane.  

The performance, which included a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s ‘You Haven’t Done Nothing,’ was captured on video and went viral. 

Dave Koz

I spoke to the jazz saxophonist - prior to the concert on the plane - about his upcoming Hollywood Bowl concert. The August 31 concert, celebrating Labor Day weekend, will mark the 11th time Koz (DK) has headlined the iconic venue.

DD:  What inspired you to create “The Ultimate Summer Party!”  Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns Tour, and what’s the vision behind it?

DK: The music. We take it back to the bands of the past. I grew up listening to bands like Tower of Power. Tower of Power is the first album I bought. It’s an appreciation for the music that made you who you are. The music shaped us.

DD: Touring can be therapeutic.

DK: We’ve been on the tour for three weeks. As complicated as our world is, this music is washing over people and making them feel good. It’s the power of the horn section.

DD: What’s the power of the horn section?

DK: We’re going back to 2013, the original horns were Mindy Abair, Richard Elliot, and Gerald Albright. We wanted to pay tribute to the songs we loved. Every other year, it morphs and changes. This year features a full horn section, delivering that raw power. I want to make the music mine. When you take on a cover, how do you make it your own? If you can’t make it your own, you should leave it alone.

DD: How do you capture the essence of summer in your music, and what can fans expect from your "Ultimate Summer Party" tour?

DK: The venue helps a lot when it comes to capturing the essence of the summer. The Hollywood Bowl is the quintessential venue in the world.  There is nothing like the Hollywood Bowl. I grew up in L.A., and my parents would take me, my brother, and my sister there. There is something for everybody at the Bowl. It doesn't matter what’s happening on stage. 

DD: How do you plan to make this Labor Day weekend show unforgettable for your fans?

DK: It’s a beautiful night of music. We have Jonathan Butler, Kayla Waters, Ohio Players, and Summer Horns - Evan Taylor, Jeff Bradshaw, Leo P, the Anderson Brothers (Marcel and Marcus), and special guest Regina Belle. All of those in one night at the Hollywood Bowl. That should give everyone a big smile.

Dave Koz

DD: Can you give us a sneak peek at the setlist for the Hollywood Bowl show?

DK: We are doing the music of Earth, Wind, and Fire, Tower of Power, Frankie Valli, and the Four Seasons. We will cover ‘Can't Take My Eyes Off of You.’ We will do some stuff by Stevie [Wonder], and, of course, we’ll do some of my hit songs. Regina Belle and Marcel Anderson will sing together. This show is tightly orchestrated. 

DD: Are there any plans to record or release new music in conjunction with the tour?

DK: We did it at the beginning of the summer. We got together in the studio. We recorded a new version of ‘Vehicle,’ which was done by the Ides of March. There hadn’t been many covers of that song. It’s a great song.

DD: What should I know that I didn’t ask you about the show?

DK: We are privileged and honored to take this show to the Hollywood Bowl. I refer to it as the L.A. version of Carnegie Hall.

Smooth Summer Jazz, Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns with special guest Regina Belle, Hollywood Bowl, 6:30 p.m., August 31, 2025 – tickets starting at $44.90 (plus fees).