Ring in the Holidays With Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2023 Featuring Jonathan Butler, Special Guests Rebecca Jade and Marcus Anderson, and Introducing Justin-Lee Schultz at the CCPA Fri., December 15, 8:00 PM and Sat., December 16, 8:00 PM
CERRITOS, CA – The New York Times declared, “By all rights, smooth jazz should own the holiday season, and the saxophonist Dave Koz is better positioned than anyone to make it so.” Gather up the family and get into the spirt of the season with DAVE KOZ AND FRIENDS CHRISTMAS TOUR 2023 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) at 8 p.m. on Friday, December 15 and Saturday, December 16. Tickets start at $59.
The Seattle Times praised the six-time Grammy-nominated DAVE KOZ, citing in particular his “clean, fluid sax lines, which have been heard on a variety of recordings, from U2’s R&B remix of When Love Comes to Town … to albums by Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Richard Marx, Gladys Knight, and Donny Osmond.” The Platinum-selling saxophonist-composer has sold millions of albums worldwide, including Lucky Man, and the holiday CDs Ultimate Christmas, December Makes Me Feel This Way, and A Smooth Jazz Christmas. Koz’s Saxophonic album was nominated for a Grammy and an “Image Award” from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). His latest albums are A New Day and A Romantic Night In (The Love Songs Album).
Two-time Grammy nominee JONATHAN BUTLER has the “dynamic energy of a young James Brown, ripping off guitar licks with the creative ingenuity of a George Benson, singing with the style and communication of an Al Jarreau,” lauded the Los Angeles Times. The singer-guitarist busted racial barriers and stereotypes with his debut single, Lies, which was the first song by a black musician to be played on white radio stations in South Africa. The hit catapulted Butler into the international limelight, and he followed with the Grammy-nominated instrumental Going Home and the ballad Sarah, Sarah, which confirmed his position in popular music. Butler’s collection of diverse albums includes Surrender, The Worship Project, Jonathan, Brand New Day, and So Strong.
Singer-songwriter REBECCA JADE has worked with top names in the music industry, including Sheila E., Sir Elton John, and El Debarge. Her albums include The Jade Element; Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact, which earned a San Diego Music Award as “Best Blues Album”; and Planet Cole Porter, a collaboration with Jazz guitar virtuoso Peter Sprague that earned the San Diego Music Award for “Best Jazz Album.” Jade also appeared in the Emmy-nominated show Let’s Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute to Prince.
Grammy nominee MARCUS ANDERSON’s winning fusion of R&B, Pop, Rock, and Funk has landed the Jazz saxophonist at the top of the Billboard’s Smooth Jazz and Sirius XM’s Watercolors charts. Anderson has collaborated with the late legend Prince, CeeLo Green, Stevie Wonder, and Liv Warfield. Anderson’s albums include Hero, And Coffee, Style Meets Substance, and My Inspiration.
Sixteen-year-old JUSTIN-LEE SCHULTZ started playing piano at age 5 and found himself making his stage debut in a resounding performance just two weeks later. Down Beat Magazine declared: Schultz’s “unique brilliance is undeniable.” His first album was 2020’s Gruv Kid, which cracked the Top 10 of Billboard’s Smooth Jazz chart, making him the youngest musician to ever chart. Schultz followed up that album with Just in the Moment.
For tickets or more information, call (562) 916-8500 or go to cerritoscenter.com.
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