Dave Koz Contributes To Song For A Special Young Girl
When smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz heard Juliana Wetmore’s story, he knew he had to do something to help in the spirit of the holiday season. Juliana is a young girl born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by facial deformities. She’s been called “the girl without a face.”
“I was recently asked by my friend, Nashville-based producer/guitarist/composer Skip Ewing, to be a part of a project near and dear to his heart,” Koz says. “He shared with me a story and images of Juliana, a young girl he met who transformed his life and taught him many important lessons. Once I saw the spirit of this little girl come shining through, I knew it was a project I’d want to be involved with as well.”
The result is the instrumental song “Juliana’s Smile,” composed by Ewing and featuring Koz and jazz-banjo player Bela Fleck. You can watch and hear a video of the song on YouTube. More importantly though, says Koz, you can purchase “Juliana’s Smile” from amazon.com and iTunes. Proceeds from the sale of the song purchased as a single or on Ewing’s CD titled Hits Volume One, go to benefit Juliana and her family.
“The music so poignantly complements the story of Juliana’s journey,” says Koz, “and shows us, especially at this time of the year with the holidays approaching, what truly matters in life. Despite devastating physical challenges this ‘girl without a face’ is teaching us all a whole lot and doing so in such a beautiful, touching and heartfelt way. I must say that these images can be a little graphic and jarring. But once you look beyond the surface and see the love and acceptance and joy coming through this amazing (and huge) spirit, I believe you too will be moved like we all were. I invite you to take a look at the video and listen to the song, and if so inclined, share it with the people closest to you in your life. It’s an opportunity to remember how truly blessed we all are.”