The Grammy-nominated musician teams up with his pup, Buddy Boy Koz, in a modern rendition of the classic Disney song; the release is a prelude to his upcoming EP ‘Dave Koz Does Disney.’
Dave Koz and his dog, Buddy Boy Koz, go on an adventure in the 2D animated music video for the Grammy-nominated saxophonist’s new single “When You Wish Upon A Star,” the classic Disney song that debuted in the 1940 film Pinocchio. The song, written by Leigh Harline and Ned Washington, was inducted into the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2009.
“We’re all used to experiencing classic Disney songs along with incredible animation… so we thought, why not do an animated video to accompany this new version of ‘When You Wish Upon A Star’?!” asked Koz. “A long-time collaborator, Jones Häkkinen from Finland, wrote and directed this cartoon, which playfully calls the viewer back to classic Disney motifs while the adventure for me and my dog Buddy ensues. It’s good fun and was such a joy to create!”
Häkkinen of JonesAndYou also helms Just Be Koz, a series of animated shorts that highlight turning points in Koz’s life – like coming out in a cover story of The Advocate (and subsequently being named by People magazine as one of the “Most Eligible Bachelors”) and how a last-minute request to perform on The Arsenio Hall Show changed the trajectory of his career.
Produced by Grammy-nominated producer/musician Darren Rahn, “When You Wish Upon A Star” is a preview of Koz’s forthcoming EP, Dave Koz Does Disney, featuring modern renditions of Disney songs from various eras.
Koz and friends will launch the 26th anniversary edition of the longest-running jazz-based Christmas tour on Black Friday. The run will feature Jonathan Butler and special guests Marcus Anderson and Rebecca Jade and introduce Justin-Lee Schultz. Tickets are available here.
Watch the animated music video and see how many nods to beloved Disney movies you can spot.
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
