Barry Manilow's "One Last Time!" Tour Stops in Florida with Special Guest Dave Koz

He writes the songs that make the whole world sing! Barry Manilow has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions of people around the world ever since his very first album was released back in 1973. Since then, he has sold over 80 million records worldwide, and he has topped the U.S. charts with such pop favorites as "Mandy," "I Write the Songs," and "Looks Like We Made It." Entire generations of memories have been made to those songs and other favorites such as "Can't Smile Without You," "Copacabana," "Weekend in New England," and "Somewhere in the Night."

After over four decades in the music industry, Manilow is taking one last tour around the world. Unlike other singers who have gone back on their word, Manilow insists that his "One Last Time!" Tour will indeed be his last. If you're a fan of his music, this would be the time to see him! He will be making five stops in Florida: He arrives in the Sunshine State to perform at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola on Thursday, January 28; followed by concert dates in Estero at the Germain Arena on Monday, February 1; in Orlando at the Amway Center on Tuesday, February 2; in Tampa at Amalie Arena on Thursday, February 4; and in Sunrise at the BB&T Center on Friday, February 5. The concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. for all five performances. Tickets can be bought by going online to barrymanilow.com/tickets.

Joining Barry Manilow for this tour is world-renowned saxophonist and composer Dave Koz. Dave Koz has been recording albums in the smooth jazz genre for the last 25 years and has amassed a number of hits on the jazz charts, such as "Got To Get You Into My Life," "Put The Top Down," "Castle of Dreams," "Faces of the Heart," and "Honey-Dipped." He is a Grammy Award nominee and also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work. (Oh, did we mention he's openly gay and very handsome?)

I spoke with Dave Koz about his career and what it's like to tour with Barry Manilow in this exclusive Hotspots interview.

Welcome back to Florida!

Thank you. Hey, I can't get enough of Florida. What do you want from me? [laughs]

You were just here for your Christmas concerts. Is it nice to be able to stop in the Sunshine State twice in one winter?

I can't ask for anything better. I live out in California so I can't use the cold weather as an excuse to come down. I just really enjoy Florida. When Mr. Manilow asked me to tour with him, I couldn't say no.

What's it like touring with Barry Manilow? You've done this once before.

Yes, we did about 30 shows last year, followed by eight shows in the UK together. I've known him for 15 years and we're great friends. I've appeared on his albums; he's appeared on my albums. He's just such an incredible support system for me. When I got my star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he was the one who inducted me. He's just been there for very pivotal moments of my life. I've learned so much from him.

As far as longevity is concerned, he's made music for four-plus decades and he's always been at the very top of his craft. He's not just a great inspiration but a great teacher. Not that he sits me down and gives me lessons, but I absorb what I see when I'm around him. Many people know the star and entertainer, but I've been honored to observe his pure musicianship, and that's what inspires me the most.

You've collaborated with him in the past; what parallels are there between your style of music and his?

I mean, he's a singer, a great piano player and songwriter. I don't sing, but there's an emphasis on quality and a commitment to consistency. He's been a consistent entertainer since the beginning, and that's one of the things I've looked to him for, as far as guidance in my own career is concerned.

When you see the name "Barry Manilow," you get hundreds of feelings inside of you, and you know when you see him, you're going to get only the utmost quality, and I feel that is imperative in my music as well. I want people to feel something when they see my name, and when they come to see me, whether it's at my Christmas shows or opening for Barry Manilow, they can rely on the fact that they will get nothing but quality.

Please tell us about the collaboration that you made with Barry Manilow that made it to your 25th anniversary "Collaborations" album.

The track that [Barry Manilow and I] collaborated on was originally listed on his Here at the Mayflower album. That was the first day I ever met him. I went into the studio, and he played the entire track that I was going to solo on, and when he was done, my jaw hit the floor. The song is about this woman in the Mayflower apartment building and she's alone at night, listening to a saxophone player. Near the end of the song, he even says, "She's listening to Dave Koz in the middle of the night." My name was sung in his song! [laughs] I'm meeting him for the first time and he sung my name! I was stunned. I didn't know what to say! It was more than just a song; it cemented a lifelong friendship.

For more information on Barry Manilow, visit barrymanilow.com. For more information on Dave Koz, visit davekoz.com. You can buy Dave Koz's "Collaborations" album by going to davekoz.com/shop