Al Chez

lan Cheznovitz, known throughout the music and drum corps world as Al Chez, is recognized for his extraordinary musicianship, generosity, mentorship, and lasting contribution to the Crossmen Drum Corps.

Al’s connection to the drum corps activity began at a young age, when he started marching with the Saints Junior Drum and Bugle Corps at just nine years old. That early beginning grew into a lifelong passion for performance, education, and service to the marching arts. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Al was a marching member and featured soloist with the Garfield Cadets, where he established himself as a powerful and memorable performer. He also performed with senior corps including the Bushwackers and Reading Buccaneers, further deepening a drum corps résumé that spans generations of the activity.

Over the years, Al has worked with and learned from many of the great brass, visual, and educational minds in drum corps. His background as an accomplished musician, combined with his professional performance career, brought a unique level of experience and credibility to every organization he served. Holding a master’s degree in music performance, Al built a career that reached the highest levels of the music industry, including his long tenure as principal trumpet and flugelhorn player with the CBS Orchestra on the Late Show with David Letterman.

Despite his professional success, Al never lost his connection to drum corps or his desire to give back. In 2000, he began his work with the Crossmen Drum Corps, bringing with him not only world-class musicianship, but also energy, imagination, humor, humility, and a deep understanding of performance. His return for season after season reflected his belief in the organization, its members, and the spirit of Bones.

Al’s impact on the Crossmen has always gone beyond brass instruction. He has helped young performers understand what it means to communicate with an audience, to perform with confidence, and to bring personality and heart to every moment on the field. He never lost sight of the fact that drum corps is, at its core, a performing art. Through his teaching, example, and presence, Al reminded members that excellence is not only about playing the right notes, but about creating connection, excitement, and joy.

Those who have worked with Al know him as generous, humble, kind, sincere, and deeply committed to the growth of young musicians. His personality is infectious, his encouragement genuine, and his belief in students unmistakable. He has served as a mentor and role model to countless performers, helping them develop not only as musicians, but as confident people who understand the power of passion, discipline, and artistry.

Al’s contributions have been recognized throughout the drum corps community. He is a member of both the Drum Corps Buglers Hall of Fame and The Cadets Hall of Fame, honors that reflect the respect he has earned as a performer, educator, and ambassador for the activity.

For his service to the Crossmen, his mentorship of young musicians, his extraordinary professional musicianship, and his ability to bring magic, imagination, and spirit to every rehearsal and performance, we proudly honor Al Chez as a member of the Crossmen Hall of Fame.

Al Chez truly represents the spirit of Bones.