Sax on the Walk

Six-time Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Koz will  receive the 2,389th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today, marking 20 years  as a professional jazz musician.

Barry Manilow and Chris Gardner, whose autobiography, "The Pursuit of  Happyness" became a major motion picture, will join Koz in speaking in the  late-morning ceremony in front of Capitol Records. Koz also will perform his  Grammy-nominated rendition of "Over the Rainbow.''

Singers Johnny Mathis, BeBe Winans and Dave Grohl and actor Jason  Alexander are also expected to attend.

Born March 27, 1963, in Encino, Koz wanted to join his brother Jeff's  band but was constantly rejected. Eventually, his brother said he could  be in  the band if he played the saxophone. He was in the band two years later.

As a student at Taft High School in Woodland Hills, Koz played saxophone  in the school's jazz band. Koz graduated from UCLA in 1986 with a degree in  mass communications.

Koz began his professional career by touring with Bobby Caldwell's band,  keyboardist Jeff Lorber and pop singer Richard Marx. He also played in the  house band on the CBS late-night show "The Pat Sajak Show."

Koz released his first solo album, "Dave Koz," in 1990. His second  album, "Lucky Man," released in 1993, achieving gold record status. "The  Dance," released in 1999, also was a gold record and his best seller.

Koz's 2007 release ``At The Movies,'' a celebration of film music, spent  12 weeks atop Billboard's top contemporary jazz chart. It included ``Over the  Rainbow,'' which received a Grammy nomination.

Koz hosts a weekday afternoon show on the Smooth Jazz Radio Network and  the syndicated weekend radio program "Dave Koz Jazz Show," now its 15th year.
 

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