LIZ RAQUELLE
has been
studying music and art her
whole life. Her parents first 
discovered she could sing when, at her
first performance on a school stage, she
received a standing
ovation. After continuing to study with opera singer Caroline Thomas,
and
performing regularly in music theater in high school, she knew that
singing was her greatest passion in life. She joined the vocal jazz
ensemble at Washington University in St. Louis where she earned her
BFa.
She joined her first band Mercy Me at Wash. U. singing lead vocals in
funk/soul/jazz/blues; touring for five years from Colorado to Virginia,
from Vermont all the way south to Savanna, Georgia. They recorded a
couple of original albums, lived band life to the fullest, playing gigs
to the early hours of the morning; crashing on the occasional floor;
driving to the next gig. Opening for They Might Be Giants, Veruca
Salts, Pere Ubu, and Aquarium Rescue Unit; they sold out many venues
and jammed their hearts out. Shortly after Mercy Me disbanded Liz
continued to study vocal performance at the California Institute of the
Arts in Valencia, CA. In search of more pristine landscapes to paint,
she migrated north to the Bay Area where she continued studying jazz in
Santa Cruz with Ray Brown and Wally Trindade of Wally's Swing World. She
has a strong, sultry, robust voice for
singing jazz and performs regularly with Double Standard and
occasionally with world fusion band Tribal Heat. Liz was the
first place winner in the Good Times Santa Cruz Idol competition and
repeat finalist in several regional
karaoke contests. Singing is an expression of the
soul, heart, and mind; and is something that Liz Raquelle just can't
live without.
____________________________________________________
The Double Standard Jazz Band began performing together in Santa
Cruz, Ca in early 2006, and the musicians are all from Santa Cruz
County. The music is primarily swing and features Liz Raquelle on
vocals. Our band members are Jeff Meyer on saxophone, Patrick North on
bass, Bruce Handloff
on drums, Lars Wright on guitar, and Sue Marvin on keyboard.
_________________________________________________________________
PATRICK NORTH walks the best swing line around
and is one of the most sought after bass
players in Santa Cruz County. He was originally a cello player
and a music major at UCSC, and switched to bass for playing
jazz. Patrick works in the theatre department at UCSC and
is a member of several local Santa Cruz bands in addition to being a
key member of Double Standard.
photo by
Robert Jan Ridder
BRUCE
HANDLOFF's
rhythms provide an intricate foundation and a steady beat. He has
an extensive career as a
musician, playing with many musicians over the
years, recently with the
Nora Cruz Blues Band. He also plays
with Brian Chester and
Friends and is
the house drummer at the Santa
Cruz Jazz Society jazz jam.
photo by Robert Jan
Ridder
JEFF MEYER is one awesome saxophone player! Originally from Ohio, he
began perfoming with his Dad at clubs even before he was of age.
Jeff is an experienced professional and is on call with many of the top
big bands in the area, including Wally's Swing World, Mark Russo and
the Classy Cats, the Robin Anderson Big Band, and more. You can
count on Jeff to play a killer solo!
photo by
Robert Jan Ridder
LARS WRIGHT plays
guitar with a fresh ear and the versatility of a seasoned player.
He is back after his recent travels to South America and is gigging
again not only with Double Standard but also with his blues band.
Lars has also studied with Ray Brown at Cabrillo.
photo
by
Robert Jan Ridder
SUE
MARVIN,
originally classically trained in piano by instructor Millie Fields from the University of
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music;
has studied jazz with mentors Martan Mann, Ray
Brown, and Gus Kambeitz. She also plays with the Little Big Band
of Santa Cruz. Sue has played with big bands, pit
orchestras for
theater productions, and is on the Board of Directors of the Santa Cruz
Jazz Society.
Contact
Information:
(408) 348-4551
or email
jazz.chromatics@yahoo.com (jazz dot chromatics at yahoo dot com)