CONTEMPORARY JAZZ GREAT DAVE KOZ JOINS FRIENDS AND SPECIAL GUESTS AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL FOR ANNUAL JVC JAZZ FEST SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2007, AT 6:00 PM
LINE-UP INCLUDED DAVE BENOIT, PHIL PERRY, AND KELLY SWEET; EARL KLUGH AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND; AND SUMMER ROMANCE STARRING JIM BRICKMAN AND MICHAEL LINGTON.
(DAVE BENOIT, DAVE KOZ, KELLY SWEET, and PHIL PERRY)
In a career spanning nearly two decades, DAVE KOZ has established himself as a world-renowned platinum-selling adult pop and contemporary jazz artist, humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host, and instrumental music advocate. He is the recipient of four Grammy nominations, and the list of artists with whom he has played, including such musical luminaries as Burt Bacharach, Ray Charles, U2, Luther Vandross, and Rod Stewart, bears testament to his talent.
Somehow - and it is inexplicable - the melding of 19 year old Kelly Sweet's voice, talent, words, and melody have come together to create a sublime moment. It’s as if the singer was privy to your most intimate thoughts and feelings. A deep connection is forged between listener and vocalist: you have become soul mates. The pleasure - the feeling of oneness - is so intense, you listen over and over. Such is the experience of hearing 19-year-old singer Kelly Sweet for the first time. The opening “oohs” of “We Are One,” the title track from her debut album coming from Razor & Tie in March 2007, stop you dead in your tracks. Hushed and hymn-like, Sweet’s voice creates a lush world of beauty. Fittingly, the song’s lyrics urge listeners to take comfort in the community of all souls. “I am you, you are me, we are one,” the music of Kelly Sweet.
(JIM BRICKMAN ON PIANO WITH MICHAEL LINGTON ON SAX)
JVC Jazz at the Hollywood Bowl continued its tradition of presenting the best of contemporary smooth jazz last Sunday, August 19, at 6 p.m. This year's artist roster included world-renowned saxophone player Dave Koz; pianist David Benoit; vocalists Phil Perry and 19-year-old newcomer Kelly Sweet; guitarist Earl Klugh and His Little Big Band; and starring pianist Jim Brickman and saxophonist Michael Lington opening the show with "Summer Romance." The Concert was sponsored by JVC and opened with Jim Brickman on piano and Michael Lington on sax. Jim opened the concert with his romantic fare as well the title cut from his newest album, "Escape." (Escape to the peaceful place, serenity, and ease) and sang vocals on one of the big melodies Fil-Ams have learned to love over the years, "My Valentine." (He did a duet of the same song with Pops Fernandez at Pops' concert in 2006 in Los Angeles.)
(LEGENDARY GUITARIST EARL KLUGH AND HIS LITTLE BIG BAND)
Earl Klugh delighted Sunday's audience with his classic rendition of "Living Inside Your Love" as he shared the stage with his contemporary jazz legends as well as the young 19 year old Kelly Sweet. Dave Koz started the second half of the concert in front of an audience of 15,000 with renditions from his new album "At The Movies" with soundtracks from movie favorites both new and old. Phil Perry's awesome vocals from the movie score of "Wizard of Oz" titled "SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW" threw the whole Hollywood Bowl crowd into an uproar. David Benoit did a "James Bond" piece, complete with Martini, shaken not stirred. Overall, JVC Jazz with Dave Koz and Friends was was an intimate and enjoyable evening of great jazz, with a little twist of Hollywood under the stars.
(Article & photo coverage by Jay Fermin ppp-usa: pictured with Jim Brickman)