Dave Koz, Brian Culbertson team for summer shows

Jazz superstars’ “Side by Side” tour makes Fraze Pavilion stop June 26.

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By Matt Warner, Contributing Writer 4:39 PM Friday, June 19, 2009

What happens when two of the biggest stars in smooth jazz team up for a summer concert tour? Find out Friday, June 26, when Dave Koz and Brian Culbertson bring their “Side by Side” tour to the Fraze Pavilion.

Koz and Culbertson are in the upper strata of contemporary jazz. Each hosts a weekday radio program on the Smooth Jazz Network — Culbertson in the mornings and Koz in the afternoons — which contributes to their celebrity status among listeners. Koz already has six Grammy nominations and platinum records, while Culbertson was voted the 2009 International Instrumentalist of the Year for the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.

Both musicians’ recent releases were at the top of the charts at their debuts. Koz’s “Greatest Hits” (Capitol 2008) is not only a retrospective of Koz’s 20-plus years in the business, it also includes four new cuts. Culbertson’s “Bringing Back the Funk” (GRP 2008) unites old-school funk masters such as Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham and Sheldon Reynolds with contemporary musicians like Ledisi, Gerald Albright and some of the best studio musicians in the business. Culbertson and Koz will join forces to play each other’s standards and newer material for the “Side by Side” tour.

Koz, a saxophonist, has worked with a bevy of artists across the spectrum from rock (U2) to pop (Celine Dion, Rod Stewart) and R&B (Luther Vandross, Ray Charles). His second album, “Lucky Man” (Capitol 1993) was a breakout sensation. As his star continued to rise, Koz branched out into other arenas. In addition to his show on the Smooth Jazz Network, his syndicated weekend radio show began 15 years ago.

Koz also has been active in charity efforts such as the Starlight Children’s Foundation, which assists seriously ill children and their families. Koz has served as global ambassador for the organization, and a portion proceeds from his KOZ wine sales are donated to the organization.

Culbertson, 36, is a relative newcomer to the smooth jazz scene, but he has already made serious waves. A keyboardist, trombonist, and more, Culbertson already has nine albums under his name, and has been involved in many more. He has credits on albums by Bob James, Clark Terry, Steve Reid, Koz, and others as a player, producer, or writer/arranger. Culbertson recently joined Koz and other smooth jazz luminaries as a program host on radio’s Smooth Jazz Network, which is a telling sign that he is a favorite among network listeners.

The radio may give smooth jazz fans a window into the worlds of Koz and Culbertson, but there it’s no replacement for seeing them live on stage. Musical skill aside, Culbertson is known for his charismatic energy and Koz for his easygoing personality. When these two dynamic musicians are side by side Friday night, you won’t need to tune in ... but you will want to turn out.

Matt Warner is a contributing writer for the  Dayton Daily News. He can be reached by e-mail at warner.matt@mac.com. Jazzbeat appears every  Sunday.