Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz visits O.C. School of the Arts, offering feedback and stories

He’s received nine Grammy Award nominations throughout his 25-year career and has collaborated with the likes of Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Celine Dion.

Dave Koz, a smooth jazz saxophonist, stopped at Santa Ana’s Orange County School of the Arts Monday to teach and perform with music students during a master class.

“Music for me saved my life,” Koz, 54, said before appearing on stage in front of nearly 300 students. “I was a very shy kid, and it kind of gave me a voice to express myself.”

Long before he’d earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, play for two presidents — Barack Obama at a U.N. reception and Bill Clinton at a private event — and hold nine No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Current Contemporary Jazz Albums chart, Koz struggled learning to play piano and drums as a boy in the San Fernando Valley.

His instructor suggested he pick up sports instead.

Undeterred, Koz asked his brother if he could join his band, which entertained at weddings, work functions and bar mitzvahs.

Fine, the brother said, but only if Koz played saxophone.

The then-13-year-old felt pretty proud, blowing Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” at an early gig with his brother’s band.

Koz continued to play at UCLA while pursuing a degree in mass communications. Two weeks after graduation — with no job prospects — he got a call from singer Bobby Caldwell, who wanted to start a band.

Shortly thereafter, Koz signed with Capitol Records and has since consistently toured the globe with his “Dave Koz & Friends at Sea” cruises.

He also plans a follow-up to his 2013 “Summer Horns” recording and a tour in 2018.

During Monday’s special appearance, seven musicians from the school’s Garn Family Jazz Studies Program played on stage with Koz.

“As an outsider getting a sample of this, I’m sort of dumbfounded that you’re all high school students,” Koz said. “This is very sophisticated playing.”

He offered constructive criticism too.

“If I had to say one thing, let your face show that you’re having a good time,” Koz said. “Music is meant to be exciting. I get nervous too, but you just have to approach everything like, ‘Here I am.’ The audience can’t wait to love you.”

Before students headed off to conservatory class time, Koz performed a personal favorite song as a tribute to his deceased mother.

OCSA students, faculty members and visitors appreciated his version of “Over the Rainbow,” a track off his 2007 album, “At the Movies,” which garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Performance.

Though the record business has changed, Koz told students that young people starting out are facing exciting times because there are several creative outlets to market themselves.

“Mr. Koz is a great guy, and it was really fun to learn from him,” said OCSA junior Lucian Lianti, who played the congas on stage. “This was very motivational.”

Koz’s special appearance was part of the OCSA’s 2017-18 Master Artist Series, which the public charter school launched last year in celebration of its 30th anniversary.

During this year’s series, author Alice Sebold (“The Lovely Bones”) and Broadway actress and singer Megan McGinnis, among other notable personalities, are scheduled to talk and perform.

Dan St. Marseille, Garn Family Jazz Studies director, said he was honored to have Koz share his lessons, encouragement and feedback with students.

Koz told listeners to remain grateful and appreciative for all opportunities and to be kind, generous and patient with everyone.

“I don’t want to be overly dramatic but music might save the world,” Koz said. “By simply being an artist, you’re putting energy into the world, and that is so necessary and vital.

“Your job is so important to the planet — you have no idea.”

kathleen.luppi@latimes.com

Twitter: @KathleenLuppi