JAZZ REVIEW : Dave Koz Takes the Easy Commercial Path at Strand

Dave Koz is the musical alter ego to pop saxmeister Kenny G. Where G is cute and hairy, Koz is square-jaw handsome and fashionably well trimmed; where G plays sweetly floating melodies, Koz’s alto and soprano saxophone lines are dominated by funk-powered rhythms.

But where both performers are on the same track is in their unrelenting pursuit of audience approval--regardless of the musical consequences. Koz’s show at the Strand on Saturday night was a perfect case in point. Accompanied by an infectiously danceable groove laid down by his sterling four-piece backup band, the most Koz could add to the mix was an effusive series of solos based on simplistic, scale-driven melodies and blues-tinged effects.

No problem for his listeners--or for Koz--all of whom seemed far more fascinated with his theatrical posturing and occasional trips into the crowd (during one of which he simulated an erotic encounter with a willing female fan) than with any musical accomplishments.

In one of his rare efforts to reach beyond commercial goals with a Koz-described “unplugged” trio--guitar, keyboard and soprano sax--all three were, in fact, plugged. A spontaneous improvisation, which, also according to Koz, “jazz players like to do,” produced some random noodling and an eminently predictable blues chorus. But at least it confirmed that by stressing his dramatic, rather than his musical skills, Koz is doing what he does best.