| Raphael Cruz |
Raphael Cruz is a musician’s musician. As one of the first-call percussionists on the New York music scene, he has played with literally hundreds of the great stars of Latin, Jazz, Pop, Rock and R&B music. Originally from Santo Domingo, he has honed his skills with such greats as Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, Chaka Kahn, Paquito D'Rivera, Tata Guines, Herbie Mann, Claudio Roditi and George Benson, among others. Raphael's music can best be described as smooth Afro-Cuban Jazz with blends of Brazilian music, powerful drums, beautiful melodies and extraordinary solos. Raphael's CDs include: A Mano, Bebop Timba (nominated
for a 2005 Grammy in the Best Latin Jazz Album category) and his
latest magical offering Time Travel.
2005 GRAMMY NOMINATED CD!!! BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM. RAPHAEL CRUZ "Bebop Timba" Raphael Cruz has the hands of a master. More than simply a skilled artisan, Raphael also burns with the inner passion that elevates mere craft into true art. While in the studio cutting the basic tracks for the CD which you now hold, after the microphones were set, after the levels were up on the control board, after all of the technical components were in place, Raphael urged his musicians towards a loftier purpose. This was no longer about merely executing well-developed material worked out in innumerable nights on the bandstand. This was about sharing a vision, creating a moment. It was about making art. Music has the power to transcend language and communicate universally on the most emotional level. Raphael knows this all too well and wishes to share his musical inspiration with all of his bandmates in order to reach literally across the world to the listeners of this music. It makes perfect sense to Raphael. All he has to do is look at his vast collection of percussion instruments from all over the planet. Each of these instruments comes from a different tradition. Each is used to play different rhythms for different social functions. In the hands of a skilled master like Raphael, he makes us realize that we are all one human family. He yearns to unite us in rhythm and sound. And he has done just that. Witness for example the elder Cuban bata master Orlando "Puntilla" Rios singing in the Nigerian Yoruba language on "Africa's Children." Puntilla has played with everyone of importance in Latin Jazz and is founder of the Centro Cubano de Musica Floklorica. On this track Raphael unites the ancient musical traditions with the modern day, synthesizers and all. The results are nothing less than stunning. Raphael also enlists the talents of Cuban Rumba master David Oquendo on "La Rumba." Oquendo is world-famous as a performer and teacher of traditional Cuban music and culture. "La Rumba" is the genuine article, comprised only of rhythms and voices in call and response, exactly as practiced in the poorest neighborhoods of Havana. Mixed with the traditional are modern masters like solo artist and former Miles Davis saxophonist Rick Margitza, Spyro Gyra guitarist Julio Fernandez, and rising keyboard star Luis Perdomo. Raphael's vision has been encouraged and developed by all of the great artists collaborating on this recording. It's a gumbo that can only be created by traveling the globe and bringing the ingredients home to New York City. This CD is only Raphael's second as a bandleader after a lifetime of creating music with the world elite of Latin music, jazz and pop: Flora Purim and Airto, Astrud Gilberto, the Brecker Brothers, McCoy Tyner, Herbie Mann, Joe Sample, Chaka Khan, George Benson, Dr. John. The list is endless and quite impressive. But today it is Raphael's day. These are his rhythms. This is his passion. "Habla, Raffi!" -Ivan Bodley, NYC, 2003 |
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