ACCLAIMED SAXOPHONIST DAVE KOZ AND LEGENDARY SINGER/BASSIST LARRY GRAHAM JR. ANNOUNCE “SIDE BY SIDE” TOUR; Co-Headline Run Kicks Off July 21 In Austin And Includes August 20 Show At The Hollywood Bowl In Los Angeles

Dave Koz has found a way to turn hero worship into one of the hottest shows of the season. After last summer’s hugely successful “Side By Side” tour with David Sanborn, the saxophonist extraordinaire returns to the road with another one of his all-time idols: Larry Graham Jr., longtime bassist for Sly & The Family Stone and founding member of Graham Central Station. Fans can expect soulful, high-octane performances from the pair as they play hits from their respective catalogs with backing from a stellar group of players.

Their co-headline “Side By Side” run will kick off on July 21 at One World Theatre in Austin, TX and include a show at NYCB Theatre in Westbury, NY (July 29), a two-night stand at The Foundry at SLS in Las Vegas, NV (August 18 & 19) and a concert at the historic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA (August 20). Tickets are on sale now. See below for itinerary.

“I’ve been a huge fan of Larry’s since my earliest days discovering music-this man has literally set musical history in motion several times in his illustrious career,” said Dave Koz. “We’ve been great friends for a long time, but to finally get to share the stage with him in this intimate way, is truly a dream come true. A perfect summer, if you ask me!”

            “Dave Koz has the gift of being able to help people feel better with his music. I’ve seen it happen and have actually experienced it myself. His music makes you smile & lifts your spirit,” said Larry Graham Jr. “Growing up, I started learning how to play various instruments including saxophone. I took lessons for a number of years in school. I have a special place in my heart for that instrument. With that being said, there’s a huge appreciation in my heart for what Dave Koz does. I think this is a great combination for this summer’s ‘Side By Side’ tour.”

A nine-time GRAMMY® nominee, Dave Koz has charted nine No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Album chart, including 2015’s Collaborations: 25^th Anniversary Collection (Concord Records), which features some of his most memorable creative partnerships – including duets with such artists as Stevie Nicks, Rod Stewart, Michael McDonald, Barry Manilow and Luther Vandross – and Summer Horns, Koz’s 2013 collaboration with Gerald Albright, Richard Elliot and Mindi Abair, which paid tribute to the horn-fueled, rock/funk/soul bands of the 1960’s and 70s. For more information, visit http://davekoz.com.

As bassist for Sly & The Family Stone, Larry Graham Jr. helped give the band its distinctive sound with his “thumping and plucking'” technique (widely known as “slapping”). He also contributed vocals on hits such as “Dance to the Music” and “Everybody is a Star.” Together with the other members of Sly & The Family Stone, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and also received the Rhythm & Blues Pioneer Award. He has been honored with GRAMMY nominations for his work as a founding member of Graham Central Station and as a solo artist. Graham has also recorded with Aretha Franklin, led Psychedelic Psoul (Eddie Murphy’s band) and performed alongside Prince. For more information, visit https://www.larrygraham.com.

Side By Side 2017 Tour

7/21 – Austin, TX @ One World Theatre

7/22 – Dallas, TX @ Morton H. Myerson Symphony Center

7/23 – Houston, TX @ Brown Theatre
7/25 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Arts Center

7/26 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre

7/28 – Ridgefield, CT @ Ridgefield Playhouse

7/29 – Westbury, NY @ NYCB Theatre at Westbury

7/30 – North Tonawanda, NY @ Riviera Theatre and Performing Arts Center

8/10 – Apple Valley, MN @ Weesner Family Amphitheater @ Minnesota Zoo

8/11 – Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre

8/12 – Kettering, OH @ Fraze Pavilion for the Performing Arts

8/13 – Richmond, VA @ Maymont Park – Richmond Jazz Festival

8/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Dell Music Center’s 2017 Essence of Entertainment Concert Series

8/18 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Foundry at SLS

8/19 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Foundry at SLS

8/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Smooth Jazz Evening at The Hollywood Bowl

8/24 – Saratoga, CA @ Montalvo Arts Center

8/25 – San Diego, CA @ Humphrey’s Concerts By The Bay

8/30 – Vienna, VA @ Filene Center at Wolf Trap

9/1 – Beverly, MA @ Cabot Theatre

9/8 – Tracy, CA @ Grand Theatre Center for the Arts

9/9 – Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery

9/10 – Temecula, CA @ Thornton Winery