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J'LaChic Productions: Cast Bios
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- Executive Producer: Johnny Trotman
- Producer/Vocal Director:Olaf Pollard
- Musical Director: Alan Revelo
- Stage Director: Vicki Tukeva
- Choreographer: Mary Rogers
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Vocalists: Marla Goody, Jacqueline McBride, Felicia Curtis, Alan Revelo, Johnny Trotman, Olaf Pollard;
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Dancers: Mary Rogers, Iris Fullard
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Musicians: Cyrian Tabuena, Erwin Balza, Neil Stallings, Rick Bailey
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Bios: (Alphabetized by first name)
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Top Shelf!
Performing the Classics in Perfect Harmony
Motown, Doo-Wop, Classic Soul & Pop!
Top Shelf (Johnny Trotman, Olaf Pollard and Alan Revelo) has dazzled audiences' from San Francisco to Europe performing your favorite 70's, R&B, Funk and Doo-Wop; with even a little Country and Pop! Performing nationally and internationally for decades, the group is known for their melodic harmonies, soul-stirring vocals, sophisticated style, and engaging personalities. The ultimate in entertainment, they are unquestionably one of the top male vocal trios in the business! Musicians: Erwin Balza, keys; Cyrian Tabuena, bass, Neil Stallings, lead guitar, Rick Bailey, drums |
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Alan Revelo. Musical Director, Vocalist. From a musical family, Alan has been performing professionally since the early age of 12. A natural self-taught Entertainer, Alan’s comfort zone ranges from Classical, to Jazz, to Standards to Funk/R&B. His musical career commenced with a family group known as The Revelers, which evolved into a local favorite called Brass Horizon, a 9-piece Funk/R&B Band that performed the college and night club circuits throughout the west coast. Forging forward, in 1975, Alan created the Kickback band in which he currently performs. A chameleon, you’re likely to find Alan playing any instrument, choreographing a number and/or performing vocally all within the same song. |
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In addition to performing regularly with Kickback, Alan plays small combos, and as a lounge pianist. In 2005, Alan became a principal vocalist and Musical Director of Down Broadway (Touch of Vegas) Musical productions. The ultimate entertainer and perfectionist, he guarantees you a 1st-class performance each and every time. |
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Cyrian Tabuena. Bass Guitar. Cyrian’s professional music career started early at the age of 10 singing alto with the internationally renowned San Francisco Boys Chorus with whom he toured, recorded and appeared with artists such as the legendary Giorgio Tozzi and the Vienna Choir Boys. This led to roles in the San Francisco Opera productions of Carmen, Otello and Tosca. Formal study in piano, saxophone and clarinet rounded his musical training. Then at the old age of 13 his voice changed and so did his musical preferences. The emerging sounds of the 1960s and 70s, including jazz, R&B, soul and funk led Cyrian to take up the bass guitar and stints with local bands, including Amihan, Sound Syndicate, and The Revelers. Present at the inception of the KickBack Band in 1976, the group developed local popularity and toured extensively in the western United States and Hawaii. |
Cyrian took a 20 year hiatus from music before returning to the KickBack Band in 1998 and taking the bass chair in several musical theatre productions including Once On This Island and The Music Man, past and current JLaChic Productions shows including Touch of Vegas, The Sound of San Francisco and Motown Madness and concert and cabaret appearances with Top Shelf. A native born San Franciscan, Cyrian is proud to carry on the strong musical heritage of the city by the bay and to keep the low notes soulful and funky. |
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Erwin Balza. Asst. Musical Director, Keyboardist. Erwin has been playing Keyboards for over 25 years in the bay area with various groups from Kickback, TopShelf, Nightshift, Mantazh, Rayze. His musical influences include R&B, Rock, Jazz, and Classical. Initially studying classical music as a child, he quickly found a desire and passion to perform live music in the entertainment environment. During the late teen years, was exposed to performing at various club venues with local acts and eventually landing a gig with Alan Revelo and Kickback. With his background and influences, Erwin has been known to bring an added depth and excitement to his musical journey. |
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Felicia L. White-Curtis. Lead Vocalist. Felicia was born and raised in the Bay Area. She has been singing since the age of five and it has been said that she has an angelic sound sometimes paralleled to Deniece Williams and Stephanie Mills. She has a musical repertoire that includes Gospel, Jazz standards, Rhythm and Blues, Top 40 and Motown. Felicia has performed with numerous groups such as J.A.G.G (Just A Group of Girls) in the early 90’s (a local R&B and hip hop girls group), High Productions out of Orlando Florida in the late 90’s; performing tributes to The Supremes and Billy Holiday. |
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She has performed in a variety of venues such as Jazz festivals, casino boats, country clubs and nightclubs throughout California, Florida and Louisiana. In 2005-2008 she could be seen throughout the Bay Area traveling with a band named Watersign as their lead female vocalist. Felicia has also had the opportunity and the privilege of opening up for Sister Sledge at the Embassy Nightclub in Orlando Florida , performing with one of Orlando’s Universal Studios Aretha Franklin and Blues Brothers acts and has recorded background vocals for several Bay Area hip hop artist. If Felicia were to be asked the question; why do you sing? She would answer this way “because it is my ministry and I love to touch the lives of other’s”. |
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Jacqueline A. McBride. Lead Vocalist. Jacqueline brings her “just-right” Louisiana flare to the stage as she charms and entertains audiences of all walks of life! She skillfully uses her distinctive soprano voice to weave meaningful and playful lyrics in both powerful and tender ways. Her performances are expression-filled, as audiences are enchanted by her every movement. Jacqueline has graced numerous stages, and community events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. |
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She enjoys sharing her singing talent at her church home in Vallejo, California and at numerous community affairs within the City of Richmond, California. Jacqueline especially loves performing for J La Chic Productions’ audiences— “the best audience members around!” |
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Johnny Trotman. Producer, Writer, Entertainer: Born and raised in San Francisco, in the Hunter’s Point community, JohnnyT looked to singing, writing and performing as a means of escaping poverty and creating his own reality. At the age of 15, JohnnyT was the founding members of a male singing group called The Windjammers (aka Emotions and Master Plan) which took the West Coast by storm. He wrote their first hit "Poor Sad Child" and the group signed with Delight Records with the release of "Hey Girl You Won My Heart" entering Billboard Magazine at number 65 with a bullet. |
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The group quickly grew into popularity and opened for such greats as Little Richard, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations, Ike and Tina Turner, The Chi-Lites, The Manhattans and the King of Soul, James Brown! After leaving Pure Ecstasy in 2008, JohnnyT helped form TOP SHELF and since then the vocal trio has openend for Pete Escovedo, Lydia Pense & Cold Blood, and The Otis Williams' Temptations. As an entrepreneur by nature JohnnyT is CEO of J'LaChic Productions LLC, a Principal at Pure Entertainment Productions, and the co-writer, producer and director of several musicals namely The Magic of Music, Down Broadway the Musical, Touch of Vegas, Doo-wop Daze, Ladies of the 80’s and most recently Uptown, Downtown, Motown Madness. |
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Marla Goody. Lead Vocalist. Marla, a 4th generation vocalist, has been performing since the age of 10. She traveled with Pink Floyd tribute band "Which One's Pink." Her soulful rendition of "Great Gig In The Sky" could be heard around LA in the late 90's, including the "House Of Blues." She has performed with Michael Douglas of "The Diamonds" and Tommy Sands. She’s traveled all around the Bay Area with Tia Carroll & Hard Work, Jimmy's All Stars, Stan Erhart and many others. She currently performs with popular Bay Area groups such as The Rodeo Clowns, Good-N-Plenty, The KickBack Band and several others. Marla may, also, be seen performing with an off-Broadway traveling production company, J’LaChic Productions, throughout California and Nevada |
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Mary Rogers. Choreographer. Mary Rogers has traveled extensively across the country as a dancer and choreographer. Mary graces the stage as a versatile and energizing performer/dancer whose dance styles include the fast moving, high energy steps of hip hop, the gentle swaggering style of jazz, modern and rhythm and blues and the deep soul stirring moves of gospel inspiration. Mary posses the unique ability to connect with her audience in a way that leaves a lasting impression. |
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Neil Stallings. Guitarist. Born in San Francisco, Neil (guitarist extraordinaire) has shared the stage with King Floyd, The Four Tops, Albert Collins, Big Mama Thornton, Sly Stone and The Platters. A man of few words, Neil lets his guitar do the talking and what a language it speaks. Neil has opened for great artists such as; War, Funkadelic, Johnny Winter, B.B. King, Jimmy Reed, Tower of Power, The Chambers Brothers, Mandrill and Freddy King. Having toured the U.S. as well as Overseas, Neil is also an experienced vocalist, delivering each song with a rich, soulful interpretation and is a very dynamic and physical performer. |
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Olaf Pollard. Co-Producer, Vocal Director, Vocalist. San Francisco native, Olaf Pollard Olaf has always had a love for music. Growing up in San Francisco, he was a member and solo vocalist of several elementary, junior high and high school choirs. From the founding of his first group (The Mystic Knights) playing keyboards at the young age of thirteen, to being one of the founding members of the well known San Francisco based Classic Soul Group, Pure Ecstasy; to his current role as co-Producer/Principle of J’LaChic; Olaf’s passion for music is ever present. |
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Prior to making singing his profession, Olaf worked as a California Highway Patrol Officer and assisted with his family owned mortuary until 1996. Though entrepreneurship was a way of life, Olaf would always be found either as a member, president or director of several bay area choirs. He also performed as member of the musical play ‘Go down Garvey’. In addition to singing, he coaches s the boys and girls CYO basketball teams at St. Leo the Great school and is the Athletic Director, as well as the voice of St. Mary’s High School in Berkeley as an announcer for all sporting events. With a four-octave range, whether coaching, announcing, or singing, his voice will captivate you every time. |
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Rick Bailey. Drummer. Rick (center) has been drumming professionally for over 30 years with extensive touring in the U.S. and Canada including Hawaii. He has played in nearly every possible group configuration from big bands to small bands and for various singers and singing groups. Rick has also performed for many benefits over the years and at casinos and is no stranger to the recording studios. This multi-talented musician has shared the stage with the likes of Bobby Freeman, Herb McQuay, Lee Oscar & Tavares and performed with Lenny Williams, Bruce Conte, Rick Stevens, Michael Jeffries, |
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Ken Brazell & Chester Thompson and performed at the legendary Playboy Club in San Francisco. When you’re as rock-solid as Rick, you can’t help but keep’em on the dance floor! |
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