Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour

The 2012 edition of the annual Christmas tour will kick off on November 23rd in Sarasota, FL with a return engagement at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Led by Dave Koz, this year's run is featuring special David Benoit, who appeared in the original 1997 line-up and was instrumental in the tour's creation; Javier Colon, who sang on Koz's Saxophonic album and was the winner of the inaugural season of NBC's hit television show, "The Voice," and the inimitable drummer/percussionist/vocalist Sheila E. (Prince, Cyndi Lauper. Ringo Starr), who makes her debut in the Christmas lineup after appearances on previous Dave Koz & Friends summer tours, and introducing singer/songwriter Margo Rey.

Together the quintet will perform hits from their respective catalogues and jam on fresh, fun arrangements of seasonal favorites. As always, there will be surprises, but Koz hints that the production will take things to a new level and will include a special medley of "Peanuts" holiday music inspired by Benoit, who has paid tribute to Vince Guaraldi's timeless music with several "Peanuts" themed albums.

Dave Koz And Friends Christmas Tour 2012

Unless noted with *, all dates are with special guests David Benoit, Javier Colon and Sheila E. and introducing Margo Rey

11/23 Sarasota, FL Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall

11/24 Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
11/25 West Palm Beach, FL Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Arts
11/27 Melbourne, FL King Center of the Performing Arts
11/28 Naples, FL Philharmonic Center for the Arts
11/30 Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center
12/1 Durham, NC The Carolina Theatre of Durham
12/3 N. Bethesda, MD The Music Center at Strathmore
12/4 Newport News, VA Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall

12/5 Morristown, NJ Mayo Center for the Performing Arts
12/6 Cleveland, OH Playhouse Square - Palace Theatre
12/7 Columbus, OH Palace Theatre
12/8 Chicago, OH Chicago Theatre
12/10 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre

12/11 Colorado Springs, CO Pikes Peak Center
*12/12 Ft. Worth, TX Bass Performance Hall

*12/13 El Paso, TX Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center

12/14 Santa Rosa, CA Wells Fargo Center for the Arts
12/15 Rancho Mirage, CA Agua Caliente Casino Resort and Spa
12/16 Los Angeles, CA Nokia Theatre L.A. Live

12/18 Las Vegas, NV The Smith Center for the Performing Arts
12/19 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center - Ikeda Theatre
12/20 Santa Barbara, CA Granada Theatre
12/21 Cerritos, CA Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
12/22 Cerritos, CA Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
12/23 San Francisco, CA Warfield Theatre