Dave Koz Quotes

I feel like collaboration in music has allowed me to grow musically beyond my wildest dreams.

Barry Manilow is a guy who’s had a tremendous longevity that few have had in the music business. I’m in awe of what he does.

I would never say no to that [marriage] . It hasn’t been my path up to this point. I think it would be nice to look forward to that. Meeting somebody of that caliber of “Yes, I want to spend my life with you.” Of course, why not. I love the fact that that is legal in every state.

I love a lot of the young, new artists who are coming up, including Adele. I suppose anybody would freak out to work with her. To be able to play a saxophone solo on one of her songs would be the most ultimate thing ever.

Alan Menken, for example, is one of my heroes for all of the music he’s written for Disney.

You have to be willing to get back on that horse and try it again if the mood strikes. That was one of the great pieces of wisdom that I got early on in my career in terms of being blocked. If you get to a creative roadblock, you can sit there and rack your brain.

That’s the beautiful thing about the saxophone. It can peacefully coexist with just about anything – whether it’s hip-hop, rap, rock music, pop, R&B or jazz, there’s a place for the saxophone in all of those styles.

Barry Manilow was very special for me. We’ve had many collaborations since then and all have been equally rewarding and musical. I’ve learned so much from him. I like being a student around him; observing him in his environment.

I credit my collaborators for allowing me to grow. Without them I wouldn’t have that opportunity.

I remember coming in to the studio and meeting Barry Manilow . I was kind of star-struck. He said, “I want to play you this song.” We get to the end of the song and I hear him actually sing my name as part of the lyric. I had to pick my jaw up from the floor!