Jaime CruzOcala, FLProfessional Guitarist and Instructor
I took up the guitar at the age of 14 after being inspired by my Dad’s incredible finger style guitar playing and quickly developed a love for the instrument. Being addicted to players such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Al Di Meola, Eric Johnson and Paul Gilbert, Jason Becker and Marty Friedman, Guthrie Govan, Allan Holdsworth and Michael Romeo, I initially focused on rock technique.
I have always been obsessed with music and playing guitar. I studied music and the guitar in a variety of styles including jazz, rock and pop, funk, blues, latin and classical. I played throughout high school in the rock band and ensemble performance group and developed a strong repertoire and love for all styles of music. I joined the United State Army Band and at the same time served my country while playing guitar.
20 years of service in the United States Army, I developed an extensive background in music performance and electric guitar instructor and work with various groups and small combos to include private parties, jazz festivals, concerts and special events of all kinds; Concert Band, Rock Band, Dixie Band and latin Band. I also had toured and performed around the world, such places as; the London Beating Retreat Tattoo, Italy Embassy, Bremen Marching Tattoo, Basel, Switzerland, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland, Soul Arts Center in Soul Korea, Virginia International Tattoo, San Antonio Fiesta parade in San Antonio Texas and The Battle Ship Missouri Memorial, Hawaii.
I taught numerous musicians and led thousands of instructional rehearsals to prepare musicians for performances. I'm passionate for the guitar and love to perform and teach.
