Jacquez Vargas is an American record producer, musician, songwriter, artist, and entertainer from Fort Washington, Maryland. His journey through music came at the early age of 3 when his grandmother began teaching piano to him & most of his cousins. Although piano is Vargas' primary instrument, he is also play the drums, bass guitar, lead guitar, & alto & tenor saxophone. His production credits include The X-Factor Season 2 finalist David Correy, drummer Aaron Spears, Add-2, Chill Moody, Netousha Monroe, Kush Kelz, Clifford Cartel, Def Soul, Eastman, Pretty Blackkk, Jamie Coppa, Yogi Barry & more. His production work has been featured on music blogs & websites such as That's Enuff, Ashley Outrageous, Mechanical Dummy, You Heard That New & more. Vargas is also the cousin of the late great American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra Duke Ellington on his father’s side of the family.
Born Jack Crutchfield, Jr., his grandmother began piano lessons with him at the age of three & he moved on to learn his other instruments all throughout grade school. Vargas attended Issac J. Gourdine Middle School where he played the alto saxophone & Friendly High School where he was a part the concert, marching, pep, & jazz band; both in Fort Washington, MD. In 2004, he began producing & writing his own music & compositions. In 2006, he attended Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. studying classical piano under pianist Christine Pulliam. In 2008, Vargas attended a master class held by jazz musician Brian Culbertson. Later, he attended Johnson C. Smith University where he graduated Cum Laude and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Business Technology with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy & Performance in 2011. He was a member of the university's jazz band where he played the piano and a six man ensemble made up of all electronic instruments.
During his collegiate years, Vargas earned many honors including the 2010 & 2011 publications of Who's Who Among American Universities & Colleges. In 2012, he received the President's Service Award and a letter from President Barack Obama for earning the most community service hours in his graduating class & school's history. Vargas also networked with many jazz musicians, including Branford Marsalis, performed at a benefit gala hosted by the German airline corporation Lufthansa, and at a pioneers awards show honoring notable minorities in business, finance, & global corporations held in Charlotte, NC. Later he received mentorship from gospel recording artists Byron Cage & Tye Tribbett. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a member of the 202 Crew & Mystics Energy Squad under the Game Entertainment Department with the NBA & WNBA professional basketball teams, the Washington Wizards & the Washington Mystics, and a member of the NatPack of the Washington Nationals. Vargas has been spotted and featured on television networks such as ESPN, CBS, NBA TV, TNT, & Comcast SportsNet.