Arts Entertainment Smooth Jazz Sensation DAVI D BRENNER Appearing August 1st-3rd: David Brenner - Best known for guest-hosting and numerous appearances on The Tonight Show," he continues to regularly appear on "Late Night with David Letterman," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "Politically incorrect with Bill Maher." Showtime is 8:00 pm on Thursday, Ticket cost is $15.00. 8 pm and 10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, ticket cost is $20.00. iei4EDY CASTL E 269 E. Fourth Street • Royal Oak 48067 (248) 542-9900 tadtilide because Live Entertainment: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5:30 - 9:30 Friday & Saturday 5:30-10:30 Sunday 12:00-9:30 (Sunday brunch from 12-3) (1) ol ee,Gl i t 4N 7/19 2002 76 ig bia n ik 17546 'Woodward Ave. (: blocks north of McNichols) Detroit (313) 865-0331 Enter rear ',Valet parking Enjoying an ever expanding audience of urban contemporary, light jazz andpop fans, Dave Koz brings his '21 Smooth Summer Night Tour" to Meadow Brook Music Festival. SUZANNE CHESSLER Special to the Jewish News azz sax player Dave Koz j believes in being loyal to members of his fan club, so he tries to provide plenty of up- front seats at his concerts: That's what he'll be doing Thursday, July 25, when he performs at the Meadow Brook Music Festival. Koz, also host of a syndicated jazz radio show that isn't broadcast in metro Detroit but reaches Muskegon from 9- 11 a.m. Sunday mornings on WSHZ- FM, will be playing his original music and music associated with his perform- ing friends — Brian Culbertson on keyboards, Norman Brown on guitar and James Ingram on vocals. "This will be our second year of doing 'A Smooth Summer Night,"' says Koz, 39, who grew up in California and remains rooted there. "The show is about communication, fun and creating a wonderful, warm environment." Koz started playing the sax in sev- enth grade and performed in his broth- er's teen band. After graduating from the University of California at Los Angeles with a degree in mass commu nications, he gave himself six months to find a job in the music industry. Before the time was up, he began touring with different stars, including fusion jazz artist Jeff Lorber and pop vocalist Richard Marx. There soon was a recording contract with Capitol Records and his first solo album, Dave Koz, in 1990. After a solo tour, he went on to appear regularly in both the Pat Sajak Show and the Arsenio Hall Show house bands. More recordings — including Lucky Man (1990), Off the Beaten Path (1996) and The Dance (1999) — and more appearances (he took part in President Clinton's Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial) raised his public profile. Koz recently talked about his career and personal life, including his reli- gious background, with the Detroit Jewish News: DK: We work with a company that JN: What can you tell us about your saves seats for fans. One thing that's upcoming Meadow Brook Music kind of a drag in certain big cities is Festival performance? DK: It's all music original to the artists. I that the first few rows are often bought out by people who don't think there's one cover song even come to the concerts Dave Koz: that we use for our encore. because they're radio "[The saxo phone] Pretty much, we're all doing can be very boisterous clients or record-company our biggest hits. There's people or retailers. Even if or very me low or never a dull moment. they do show up, they anything i n between. It's great performing out- aren't the true fans. It's a Whatever I put into doors. That's what the sum- very common practice for it, I get rig ht back." mer is all about. We have fan networks around the 42 shows this summer, and country to make sure that most of them are outdoors the artists have the true fans up front at fairly large venues. There's some- because that's what makes it more fun. thing that happens with the summer- time — jazz, being outdoors and JN: What do you like about the saxo- enjoying yourself I like to give our phone? audience permission to just enjoy. DK: The saxophone is a never-ending source of inspiration. I think it mirrors JN: How did it come about that you the widest range of emotions because set aside seats for members of your it's a wind instrument. It can be very fan club?