Dave Koz & Friends perform 'Got To Get You Into My Life' (live!) from Summer Horns

SAXOPHONIST DAVE KOZ TURNS UP THE HEAT WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS: GERALD ALBRIGHT, RICHARD ELLIOT AND MINDI ABAIR

Eight-time GRAMMY® nominee Dave Koz remembers a time when the summers lasted forever, and the most popular rock, R&B, soul and funk bands of the day were propelled by high-octane, richly arranged horn sections. Indeed, from the late 1960s through the '70s, bands like Sly & the Family Stone, Tower of Power, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Blood Sweat & Tears and other brassy juggernauts of the era ruled the airwaves and opened his young ears to the saxophone's limitless possibilities as a solo instrument as well as a collaborative voice with the trumpet and trombone.

Four decades later, Koz has assembled three of his most talented and trusted colleagues -- Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Mindi Abair -- to revisit this golden age with new arrangements of classic songs from this period in the history of popular music. Dave Koz and Friends Summer Horns, produced by Paul Brown (Al Jarreau, George Benson, June Tabor, Boney James), is a collaborative effort that throws the spotlight on four high-profile saxophonists, and augments the team with several other equally talented musicians and vocalists. Summer Horns, set for release on June 11, 2013, on Concord Records, turns up the heat just in time for the summer tour season.

"The first album I ever bought was Back To Oakland, the 1974 recording by Tower of Power," says Koz. "I've always been fascinated with that sound. There are few things in music that are as exciting as the energy that comes from a really tight horn section. Over the years, that sound has graced some of the greatest records of all time by bands like Sly & the Family Stone, Earth Wind & Fire, and so many others. That's what Gerald, Richard, Mindi and I are recreating on this recording."

In addition to the four-member front line of saxophones, Summer Horns also includes guest appearances by trumpeter/flugelhornist Rick Braun, trombonist Brian Culbertson, and three seasoned vocalists: Michael McDonald, Jeffrey Osborne and Jonathan Butler.

But Summer Horns is just as much about the arrangers as it is about the musicians, says Koz. "We were very lucky to have horn arrangers on this project who wrote charts for a lot of those landmark records that I remember," he says. "That includes Greg Adams, who was the chief horn arranger for Tower of Power during its heyday, and Tom Scott, who is not only a fantastic saxophonist in his own right, but also wrote charts for Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, and so many others. We also had Gordon Goodwin, who is more of a modern-day horn arranger with his own Big Phat Band."

[debbiesianturi]

Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Gerald Albright and Richard Elliot always in my great sax

[cacornhusker]

The Love that Dave shows to music, his fans but mostly his fellow Musicians is unparalleled. Amazing performance.

[ljlangston]

In the office, this has been part of my regular (every day) playlist for years. Never watched the video. AWESOME; simply awesome.

[garyclaytor]

Some of the BADDEST horn players today. Let's keep the Summer horns

[eilwoodley]

Dave, you and your Saxophone friends are incredible musicians 🎶🎷🎷🎷💗

[KadrianThomas]

Omg!!!! This was breathtaking for me. Love it.

[jds]

2 alto and 2 tenors!! Man that was great!!

[stevewood]

The best of Dave Koz and his great performans group. I Love you guys are the best.😄

[birdy]

Wow. Some of the best saxophonists on the planet ❤️

[tomtauscher]

It is a privilege, to see and hear this performance. No wonder the jazz cruises sell out so fast.

[malcolmsinclair-park]

Stumbled upon this artist on Youtube, now listen to his music amazing ❤

[matthewwicinski]

They played with passion not seen. Y'all can jam. Love each and everyone in this set.

[lzinlc]

The people in the audience definitely got their money’s worth!

[medsimvallejo]

That was an absolute joy to listen to!!! Beautiful

[brenttrading]

Gerald's altissimo range is just next level.

[elenajones]

I would love to see all of them together.. LOVE THEM LIVE

[keithandrews]

These guys are just out and out good! If you don't like it, you just don"t get it. Turn the music box off and stop listening to instrumental jazz. For those who are in love with it .. God blessed you!

[estebancarrasco]

Oh my god.... Its really beautiful, i really hope that i could play like this guys. The best one was Gerald if you ask me.

[g.medina]

Whoooo this is some stuff Here! Wow this band is so tight! Simply Amazing 👏🏼

[bm]

I was fortunate to listen to this quartet at Embarcadero in San Diego some summers back, ahhh, good old memories.