Born in Moscow, USSR on December 5, 1967,[1] Kozlov studied piano at Children's Music School before switching to bass.[1] Kozlov won the Gnesin Music Academy Competition which enabled him to enter college at age 15 and study electric bass guitar.[2]
After graduation Kozlov did a mandatory two year military service where he played tuba and other brass instruments.[1] After leaving the service, Kozlov played with the Soviet state-owned "Melodia" Studio Ensemble in 1989[1][2] and in 1991 won the USSR Competition of Jazz soloists.[2] He then moved to New York City to study and perform jazz.[1]
Kozlov has played on two Grammy Award-winning albums, the first with Brian Lynch[1] and the second with Mingus Big Band (Live at Jazz Standard) in 2011.[2] Kozlov has performed as musical director of the latter band.[3]
Kozlov has performed with Lew Tabackin,[4] Bobby Watson,[1] Michael Brecker,[5] Alex Sipiagin[6] among others.
As a solo artist, Kozlov has released Double Standard in 2010[7] and as bandleader Conversations At The Well in 2016.[8]
