A Little Space

Prize-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Big Al heads A Little Space, the SoCal smooth jazz outfit whose lead singer is Terrell Moran. Although rooted firmly in smooth jazz, the ensemble weaves funk and salsa textures into its arrangements. Its material stretches from melodic vocal pop numbers to closely focused ballads, drawing sonic inspiration from Steely Dan, Al Jarreau, and Sting. Born Alan Gruskoff in Ann Arbor, MI, Big Al serves as the group’s primary bassist while also handling most additional instrumentation on the self-titled debut album issued in 2002. He authors all of the band’s material and earned the Latin/Jazz Instrumental prize in the 2001 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for the track “Yes I Would.” Dayton, OH native Terrell Moran sings lead while maintaining an active schedule performing musical theater throughout the Los Angeles region and directing a local church choir. Additional contributors feature saxophonist Dean Roubicek along with guitarists Derek Soros and Michael A. Willis.