Dave Koz and his artistry of the saxaphone is already known far and wide, but now he offers a new bit of brilliance: an animated story about a wish made on a star, and his dog. The song is When You Wish Upon a Star, originally from the Walt Disney animated motion picture Pinnochio. It is as magical as you expect.
The story is fun, simple, and touching. The animation for the piece was done by Jones Häkkinen, who has earned a solid reputation for his animation work. Teaming up the two artists makes for a wonderful moment. The pair chase the wishing star through delightful scenes from Disney animated classics, and the little pup finally gets his heart’s desire.
“When You Wish Upon A Star” – the classic Disney song that debuted in the 1940 film Pinocchio – takes on fresh meaning as Dave Koz and his dog, Buddy Boy Koz, go on an adventure in the animated video for the GRAMMY®-nominated, chart-topping saxophonist’s new single. Buddy, an adorable, two-year-old Chihuahua mix that Koz adopted from a California animal shelter, has a very special wish as the holidays approach. See how many nods to beloved Disney movies you can spot.
The song, written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, was inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2009.
“We’re all used to experiencing classic Disney songs along with incredible animation…so we thought, why not do an animated video to accompany this new version of ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’?!” asks Dave Koz. “A long-time collaborator, Jones Häkkinen from Finland, wrote and directed this cartoon, which playfully calls the viewer back to classic Disney motifs while the adventure for me and my dog Buddy ensues. It’s good fun and was such a joy to create!”
Jones Häkkinen of JonesAndYou also helms Just Be Koz, a series of animated shorts that highlight turning points in Koz’s life – like coming out in a cover story of The Advocate (and subsequently being named by People magazine as one of the “Most Eligible Bachelors”) and how a last-minute request to perform on “The Arsensio Hall Show” changed the trajectory of his career.
Produced by GRAMMY-nominated producer/musician Darren Rahn, “When You Wish Upon A Star” offers a tantalizing preview of his forthcoming EP, Dave Koz Does Disney, which will feature modern renditions of Disney songs from various eras.
Dave Koz and Friends will launch the 26th anniversary edition of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour on Black Friday. The run will feature Jonathan Butler, along with special guests Marcus Anderson and Rebecca Jade, and will introduce Justin-Lee Schultz. Tickets are available HERE.
Esquire said, “A man who digs Dave Koz, is a man who digs life.” Covering last year’s show for The Oakland Press, Gary Graff observed, “Twenty-five years ago saxophonist Dave Koz launched a Christmas tour with modest expectations. Now it’s become a holiday institution.” 360° Sound called the tour a “kick-ass holiday party, with our host Santa Koz making all our holiday dreams come true.” Praising Koz’s eighth holiday album – has also won acclaim. Downbeat said, “Christmas Ballads…provide mellow aural bliss to anyone relaxing near a fireplace of crackling logs on a wintry night.”
About Dave Koz
Dave Koz has racked up an astoundingly impressive array of honors and achievements: nine GRAMMY® nominations, 12 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, numerous world tours, performances for multiple U.S. presidents, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and more. A Platinum-selling artist, the California native is also known as a humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host and instrumental music advocate.
His 2020 album, A New Day, reached the No. 1 position on numerous jazz charts, including iTunes and Amazon. It delivered an unprecedented four back-to-back No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Airplay chart – “Side By Side” ft. David Sanborn, “Dr. Norm” ft. Paul Jackson, Jr., “The Closer We Get” and “Summertime in NYC.” Koz broke new ground with his 2021 release, The Golden Hour. Recorded live in the studio with a large jazz ensemble, the album marked his first full-length collaboration with guitarist/producer/internet sensation Cory Wong. In 2022, Koz celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Dave Koz and Friends Christmas tour with the release of his eighth and most intimate holiday album to date, Christmas Ballads, and a new all-star, 25-date tour.
In May 2024, Dave Koz and Friends at Sea will visit Greece, Malta and Sicily on two sold-out cruises, bringing the total number of sold-out voyages since the cruise’s inception to 18. Koz recently announced a new cruise brand – SOMMA – which will offer the ultimate in luxury, relaxation and entertainment. Cabins for the inaugural SOMMA – Italia cruise, which will sail the Italian coast in September 2024 on Seabourn’s Ovation, have already sold out. For details, visit https://somma.life/.
You can streami ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ here: https://found.ee/whenyouwishuponastar
And you can follow this link to other listening options, get Dave Koz’s concert schedule and more.
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