Saxophone band's impromptu flight performance goes viral after tour delays

Passengers aboard a chronically delayed flight from St. Louis to Seattle found themselves treated to an impromptu jazz performance after the plane was forced to park in Boise, Idaho, for several hours. The incident occurred on August 11 as saxophonist Dave Koz and his band, part of the Dave Koz & Friends Summer Horns Tour, were en route to Seattle for scheduled performances. The flight had already experienced multiple delays and had to divert to Boise after a mechanical issue and mandatory crew relief. This marked the second delay of their summer tour, with two prior shows canceled due to travel disruptions [1].

Stuck hundreds of miles from their destination, the mood on board was tense. Frustration was palpable, according to Koz, who described the atmosphere as “very frustrated.” Seeking to lighten the mood, the band was approached by a flight attendant who asked if they would be willing to play for the passengers. The resulting impromptu performance of Stevie Wonder’s “You Haven’t Done Nothin’” in the narrow aisle of the aircraft quickly became a highlight of the day [1].

The video, which shows Koz and fellow saxophonist Marcus Anderson playing in the aisle, with trombonist Jeff Bradshaw improvising in the tight space between seats, spread rapidly across social media. Passengers are seen smiling, swaying, and recording the moment. Anderson described the experience as akin to a “great workout at the gym,” expressing the emotional uplift the performance provided. Koz, though initially concerned about disturbing other passengers, admitted to being deeply moved by the positive reaction [1].

The musicians performed only one song but said it was enough to bring the crowd together in a special way. Koz remarked that the moment would remain with him for the rest of his life, highlighting the unexpected yet powerful impact of music in times of shared frustration [1].

The performance, unplanned and without the intent of going viral, captured the essence of spontaneous human connection amid a stressful travel experience. It also demonstrated how musicians can turn adversity into an uplifting experience, even in the most unlikely settings [1].

Source: [1] Fortune (https://fortune.com/2025/08/20/flight-delay-boise-saxophone-jazz-band-viral-social-media/)