ADAM CRUZ

One of the most multifaceted and creative musicians of today, drummer and composer Adam Cruz is best known for his work with Danilo Perez, Tom Harrell, The Mingus Big Band, Steve Wilson and Edward Simon. Cruz was born in New York City. He spent his formative years with saxophonist David Sanchez and the Mingus Big Band. He then toured and recorded with Chick Corea and Origin, culminating in the recordings Origin and A Week at the Blue Note.

His teachers have included his father/percussionist Ray Cruz, Frank Malabe, Victor Lewis, Keith Copeland, Kenny Washington, Portinho, Lewis Nash, and Joe Chambers. He has worked in groups led by artists such as Chris Potter, McCoy Tyner, John Patitucci, Pharaoh Sanders, Joey Calderazzo, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Eddie Palmieri, Charlie Hunter and Paquito D’Rivera among many others. Cruz’s remarkable musicianship has made him one of the most in demand drummers of today. In 2010 he was awarded a grant from the ACFM to record his much anticipated, debut recording as a composer and bandleader entitled Milestone.

Adam has has received great critical acclaim by the Los Angeles Times, Downbeat Magazine, Jazz Times, Modern Drummer Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.