AL CHEZ
Class of 2009
CADET / INSTRUCTOR / CONSULTANT / MENTOR
Cadet Years: Brass/Soprano (1978-1982)
Brass Instructor/Consultant: 1983-2022 (on and off during these years)
HIS CADET STORY:
Al started his extensive music career at the age of 9 when he joined local drum corps, The Saints. He began his career with The Cadets in 1978 and marched 5 seasons through his age-out year. He continued his involvement with the Corps as a Visual Tech under George Zingali , Brass Tech under Donnie Van Doren and Brass Consultant under Gino Cipriani, Matt Stratton, Wayne Dillion, Matt Harloff, Dean Westerman, among others, and continued until 2023. Al has performed at the DCI finals as a corps member or soloist close to 20 times.
Chez still donates his time to the drum corps activity working with many DCI and DCA corps, as well as BOA bands and conducts brass music clinics and marching band clinics and performances throughout the country as a Yamaha Artist and Clinician.
In 1979, he joined forces with Jon Bon Jovi to perform in the band The Atlantic City Expressway, which played New Jersey shore clubs for years. Chez went on to play with Tower of Power, Robert Cray Band, Spyro Gyra, Sting, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen , David Bowie, Bon Jovi, Cee Lo Greene, Snoop Dog, James Brown, as well as many others.
In 1997, Alan Chez joined the CBS Orchestra after years of sitting in on trumpet and flugelhorn with Late Night with David Letterman-NBC and the Late Show-CBS, with over 25 years collectively on the two shows.
He has performed at multiple Presidential Inaugurations, over 25 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions and featured on the DVD collection, John Lennon's 50th birthday celebration in Tokyo Japan, the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games Closing Ceremonies, multiple concerts at the White House, including the Concert of the Century and The Very Special Christmas Concert and the Concert for New York to honor the brave men and women of 9/11 and fundraiser.
Al Chez has been touring since 2013 with his Big Band, “Al Chez & The Brothers of Funk Big Band”, a big band who has reinvented the BIG BAND sound, changing up classic rock, soul, jazz and standard music to a unique and powerful sound. He has written several original tunes including "For Your Love", featured on their CD, “Chapter One, Reinvented”.
Additional Honors:
Crossmen Hall of Fame
Buglers Hall of Fame
NJ Drum Corps Hall of Fame
John P. Stevens High School Hall of Honors
World Drum Corps Hall of Fame
