Bios

J.D. Hill

Leader / Vocals / Timbales / Trombone

J.D. Hill is the founder and leader of The Touch Of Class Band. He is a dynamic front man with many years of experience putting together high energy show bands. J.D. has formal training in voice, percussion, and trombone. He contributes to the group's vocal and musical arrangements and is responsible for the incredible choreography. J.D. is certainly the man who puts and keeps it all together.

Tammora C. Holloway

Vocals

Tammora C. Holloway, known as Tammy, was born and raised in Oakland, CA. Singing is her passion. She was heavily influenced by her mother’s angelic voice. She started singing at a very early age. She comes from a talented family of singers and musicians. Tammy has performed in her uncles bands, and has also been in many gospel groups. She has a very wide range with alot of versatility. She can do a jazzy rendition of “Summertime”, and then bring down the house with the funky syncopated style of Mary J. Blige & Chaka Khan. Tammy’s excited about what she brings to TOC, - her voice and total dedication.

Ajuana Black

Vocals

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Ajuana is an awe-inspiring performing artist who's repertoire includes theater and television performances. Her uplifted high energy, funky soul vocals have been echoing the rootsy, soulful sounds from her infectious spirit since she can remember! She is definitely a stunning & brilliant talent to be reckoned with!

Ajuana has been perfecting her marvelous gift of inspiring soul through her uplifting lyrics & passionate stage performance! With just one listen to her soulful songs, you will become drawn to her special energy & what she has to give..."A personal representation of true lyrical & vocal inspiration!"

Dee Dee Kato

Keyboard / Vocals

DeeDee's musical journey began as a violinist in San Francisco, where she excelled at the SF Conservatory of Music and earned the coveted Concert Master position in high school. Though a computer science degree at UC Berkeley briefly diverted her path, DeeDee's passion for music rekindled with jazz piano. Years of performing in piano trios honed her skills, and now, as a top-40 dance band keyboardist, she seamlessly blends her technical computer expertise with the versatile Korg Kronos workstation. Delivering authentic sounds, infectious energy, and classic grooves, DeeDee's keyboard playing adds depth and texture to the band's dynamic performances.

Andrew Berger

Guitar

Andrew started playing guitar at the age of nine. His interest actually started from the video game, Guitar Hero. Jumping ahead to his high school days he started playing for his high school jazz band, and by the age of 17 gotten into live gig performances; performing clubs and concerts with several local bands that covered a wide variety of music genres. He is an excellent soloist and really feels the syncopated soul and funk rhythms. Recognizing and feeling his passion, he says he's home now being a part of TOC!

Mark Hayes

Bass / Vocals

Mark Hayes was born in Seattle WA, later moving to Los Angeles Ca where he began to take music lessons at the age of 10. After starting on guitar, he switched to Bass at the age of 14. In 1975 the family moved to Oakland Ca where Mark, at the age of 16 started his own band called “Black ice”. Heavily influenced by Bassist Larry Graham, Mark began to focus on Funk bass picking up more chops from Bass players Keni Burke (Five Stairsteps) and Mike Julius (Undisputed truth). Mark began studying music while attending Oakland High School and Laney College, playing with Sheila E and her brothers Peter Michael and Juan Escovedo. In 1980 Mark was introduced to Graham Central Station drummer Willie”Wild”Sparks and began playing bass in his band Willie and the Wild Bunch of Oakland California. This led to many other opportunities with Artist like Natalie Cole, The Ojays, Slave, Johnny Baker, Harvey Scales and many others. In 1985 Mark joined the Gospel band “Infinity” of Oakland California, touring and playing bass on 4 albums produced by Tony,Toni,Tone Keyboardist Carl “Rev” Wheeler. Along with Infinity Mark has also performed with various gospel artist including Shirley Cesar, Pamela Bluford, Alfreda Mitchell, James Mitchell and many others. Mark presently performs with local bands in the Bay Area and enjoys writing and producing his own music.

Michael (MJ) Jackson

Percussion

Michael (MJ) Jackson is a drummer, composer, producer and vocalist. He plays with a deep groove, in-the-pocket style and has 40+ years in the music business. MJ has shared the stage with Starpoint, Evelyn "Champagne" King, Midnight Star and The Beat Daddys. He was a promotion specialist for Windham Hill Records and producer for Prospect Studios. This is his second time with The Touch of Class Band after a previous five-year run, and he is excited to return to the group. Michael also performs with Stratify, Cool Waterz and The Groove Foundation. MJ has published music with Tunecore and is a member of ASCAP.

Roger Levinson

Trumpet

Originally from Sacramento, California, Roger started musical studies by learning to play piano at age 8, trumpet at age 10, and trombone at age 12! Roger later studied with Rich Bice in Silicon Valley. After high school, Roger attended UC San Diego as a pre-med student and played in their Jazz Band directed by the great Jimmy Cheatam. A year later he returned to Northern California and attended UC Davis, where he graduated with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) in 1986 and an MSEE in 1988.

Since moving to Silicon Valley, Roger has performed with many local groups and guest artists including Foothill College, De Anza Daddios, West Valley College (backing guest artists such as Dave Weckl, Wayne Bergeron, and Bobby Shew), the Black Tie Jazz Orchestra, the Redwood Symphony, the Peninsula Pops, Silicon Vibe, Silicon Valley Houserockers, Full Spectrum Jazz, and others.

Al Gonzalez

Trumpet

Originally from San Jose Costa Rica, Al settled in San Jose California in 1970. Picked up the trumpet in 4th grade and never has been able to put it down. Musical highlights have included playing with Louie Bellson’s San Jose based band, the Temptations, as well as sharing the stage with Bobby Shew, Wayne Bergeron, Lew Soloff, Brian Lynch, Chuck Findley, Pancho Sanchez, Eddie Palmieri, Steve Turre, Chuck Findley, Mic Gillette. Currently, Al plays in several local big bands as well as several Rock and Soul bands. Al holds BS and MA degrees from San Jose State and works as a high tech professional in Silicon Valley.

Mike Mendoza

Saxophone

Mike Mendoza is a saxophonist based in San Jose, California. For over 30 years, Mike has performed for many audiences in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as the West Coast, performing Jazz, Pop, R&B, Rock n' Roll, Soul, Funk, and Latin music. In addition, Mike has performed the National Anthem for the San Francisco Giants, San Jose Sharks, San Jose Giants and San Jose Earthquakes. Mike currently teaches private lessons in saxophone, flute, and clarinet in addition to performing at Bay Area Wineries, Restaurants, and Private Events as a solo saxophonist with his Jazz, Pop, and R&B show ‘Sax Sessions with Mike Mendoza’. Mike definitely brings a level of showmanship and excitement to the TOC band.

Evan Masters

Baritone Saxophone

Evan is an up-and-coming baritone saxophonist based in Santa Clara, California. He is originally from Southeast Michigan, where he studied under the great Micheal Rumbell for 4 years. His specialty and focus is Baritone Saxophone, which he’s been playing for over 12 years. Evan currently plays in several local big bands, and is a first call sub for many others. Having extensive experience with modern big band and brassy funk repertoire, the R&B/Funk/Soul core of The Touch Of Class Band is no stranger to him.