"Mr. Whisper", as he was known in college, has the perfect build -- and voice -- for a tuba player. Al stands around 6'-6" and has a double-bass voice! (He earned the nickname "Mr. Whisper" because his booming voice could always be heard as the underlying rumble in the Chico State Choir.)
Al has been with the band since the very first paid performance when he was drafted out of the audience in the middle of the gig. It just goes to prove that you never know when you'll need a spare tuba player!