About the Teachers

Al Jacquez (Voice and Performance Coach)

Al began singing in church as a boy soprano. Since then he has sung in church and school choirs, musicals, local and national commercials, and numerous cover and original bands.

Throughout his teens he was a lead singer and guitarist playing mostly Stax, Motown and R & B covers until his big break at 18 when he switched to bass and was best known as the voice of Savage Grace, releasing two albums on Reprise Records.

Spending 2 years on the west coast with Savage Grace, Al returned to the Detroit area to join forces with Scott Morgan and Terry Trabandt (both of The Rationals fame) to create GUARDIAN ANGEL. Guardian Angel released one single, "Hijackin' Love" but never lived up to its "supergroup" status.

After the departure of Morgan and Trabandt, the band shifted gears and became Lightnin' with the addition of bass player and singer Mark Gougeon. Lightnin' released a self-titled EP that has since become a collector's item.

After Lightnin's untimely demise in the face of the disco phenomenon, Al began a musical partnership with guitarist Mark Tomorsky. Together they co-wrote a catalog of songs, toured Europe and co-produced musical fund raising events for the US Olympic Committee.

In the early 80's Jacquez moved back to Los Angeles from Detroit. Tomorsky soon followed him to L.A. where they continued to write and perform as Custom Eyes for several years. After returning again to the Detroit area, he stepped in as the front man for The Suspects, a popular Detroit area horn band.

By the mid 90's Al was doing commercial work and concentrating on his writing. You can hear his signature vocal contributions for the big three automakers and on recordings by Savage Grace, Lightnin', Burning Circle, The Suspects, and The Miller Brothers Band.

His most current efforts include solo gigs, Northridge Choir, Boulder Faith and a long standing commitment to Measured Chaos, a blues, soul and rock ‘n roll band.

For those of you interested in more in depth information and willing to spend a bit of time on the Internet, please search the following: Savage Grace, Measured Chaos, Miller Brother’s Band, The Suspects, Lightnin', Guardian Angel and Burning Circle.