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Adam Cruz

An undeniable creative force on the international jazz scene for the last two decades, drummer and composer Adam Cruz is best known for his work with Danilo Perez, Steve Wilson, David Sanchez and Edward Simon. Born in New York City in 1970, Cruz worked extensively with saxophonist David Sanchez and the Mingus Big Band during the 1990’s. He then toured briefly with Chick Corea, recording Origin - A Week at the Blue Note, and spent the end of the decade touring in a duo setting with guitarist Charlie Hunter. In recent years Cruz has forged a steady musical relationship with pianist Danilo Perez and is a member of the Danilo Perez Trio, which also features bassist Ben Street. His teachers have included his father - percussionist Ray Cruz, Frank Malabe, Keith Copeland and Kenny Washington. He has also worked at various times with artists such as Tom Harrell, Chris Potter, Pharaoh Sanders, Paquito D’Rivera and many more. Cruz’s remarkable musicianship makes him one of the most in demand drummers of today. He is featured on over 40 recordings as a sideman.

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24

Album Review

Yeon Ji Lee: The End of a Tunnel

Read "The End of a Tunnel" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


Yeon Ji Lee is at the beginning of her career, so a web search reveals little about her. She is  Korean-born and now New York-based. She graduated from the Aaron Copland School Of Music at Queens College. 2026 sees the release of her debut album, The End of a Tunnel, a piano trio affair with the pianist joined by bassist Joe Martin and drummer Adam Cruz. Comparison with past masters of the trio way of working can be ...

Album Review

Edward Simon: Venezuela - Latin American Songbook Vol 2

Read "Venezuela - Latin American Songbook Vol 2" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi


Il pianista e compositore venezuelano Edward Simon prosegue la sua ricerca sul patrimonio musicale della sua nazione e del Sudamerica in generale, elaborando una preziosa sintesi con elementi di jazz e classica. Questo secondo capitolo del suo “Latin American Songbook" si differenzia dal precedente per la scelta di privilegiare (con la sola eccezione di un choro brasiliano) il repertorio del suo Paese d'origine. Dal quale, com'è noto, è emigrato giovanissimo negli Stati Uniti per studiare alla Performing Arts School di ...

18

Album Review

Helen Sung Big Band: Oracles

Read "Oracles" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright


"The jazz bandstand is where true democracy lives," the great saxophonist and composer Jimmy Heath told a young Helen Sung. “Everyone must understand their role and come prepared by doing the hard work of study and practice," he said. “Each person will get to say their piece, but it is in the act of integrating as a band that the musicians ultimately create something bigger, richer, and deeper." Oracles launches into a time and place where divisions are deep and ...

11

Album Review

Susan Hinkson: Just in Time

Read "Just in Time" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright


In 2025, radio programmers are apt to carp about singers who continue to cover the Great American Songbook. There are new songs and songwriters to explore, they say, and it is true. But for lovers of mainstream jazz, the mellow sound of a sensitive balladeer like Susan Hinkson singing a gem like Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer's “One for My Baby" still satisfies. On a late and rainy Saturday night, many a jazz fan would be delighted to ...

18

Album Review

Renee Rosnes: Crossing Paths

Read "Crossing Paths" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright


In the course of a career that began in the 1980s and continues to flourish, Renee Rosnes has developed an extraordinary sound, both as a composer and as a pianist, one that is readily recognizable whatever the context. With Crossing Paths, she taps into longstanding affinities and affection for Brazilian music, illuminating elements and flavors that distinguish her singular style, animating the band and the material with her arranging magic. She opens the curtain with “Frevo," grabbing the ...

5

Album Review

Glenn Zottola & Chick Corea: The Legend & I

Read "The Legend & I" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello


With his untimely passing in February 2021, accolades emanated worldwide from musicians, critics and fans about multi-Grammy winner Chick Corea. What was less known then is the fact that Corea and multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire Glen Zottola were not only longtime close pals, but frequently interacted musically. The Legend & I is an artistic culmination of that friendship and professional relationship. And, as might be expected from artists of this caliber, the result is spectacular. The album offers a ...

4

Album Review

Glenn Zottola & Chick Corea: The Legend & I

Read "The Legend & I" reviewed by Edward Blanco


There have been several musical tributes to the late great Armando Anthony “Chick" Corea since his untimely passing in February, 2021, mostly from fellow musicians. However, The Legend and I is an intimate musical portrait from LA multi-instrumentalist Glenn Zottola who just happened to be one of Corea's best long-time personal friends. As Zottola affirms “He was my best friend and is dearly missed, but I know he will continue to create as that was his relentless purpose in life." ...

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Radio

The Jazz Session #260: Adam Cruz

The Jazz Session #260: Adam Cruz

Source: AAJ Staff


176
Recording

Adam Cruz - Milestone (Sunnyside, 2011)

Adam Cruz - Milestone (Sunnyside, 2011)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

After a two-decade career as an in-demand sideman as a drummer and percussionist, Adam Cruz, decided to make a record as a leader, recruiting a strong team including Miguel Zenon on alto saxophone, Steve Wilson on soprano saxophone, Chris Potter on tenor saxophone, Steve Cardenas on guitar, Edward Simon on acoustic and electric piano, and Ben Street on bass. This is a lengthy album that covers a variety of moods, beginning with “Secret Life" that opens with drums and piano, ...

One of the most respected young musicians in New York, [Cruz is] profoundly locked in, shifting easily from straight-ahead swing to funk patterns and Latin rhythms. —The New York Times

Drummer Adam Cruz pairs flawless technique and a crystalline touch with a level of prophetic intuition that is awe-inspiring —Modern Drummer

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Oracles

Sunnyside Records
2026

buy

The End of a Tunnel

Self Produced
2026

buy

Just in Time

Windfall Creations
2025

buy

Crossing Paths

Smoke Sessions Records
2024

buy

Femininas

ArtistShare
2023

buy

One For My Baby

From: Just in Time
By Adam Cruz

Frevo

From: Crossing Paths
By Adam Cruz

La Flor de la Canela

From: Femininas
By Adam Cruz

Emje

From: Milestone
By Adam Cruz

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