Mike Tomaro Quartet
looking forward to seeing you all on this date at Con Alma. This time joining Mike’s quartet for the first time. Don’t miss it, is going to be a beautiful time
Caminos live in Cumberland
Feature Concert of the annual Downtown Cumberland Jazz Crawl , presented by the Cumberland Jazz Society and the Allegany Arts Council.
Caminos fuse rhythms and melodies of Afro-Cuban, Cuban, jazz, funk, and R&B music styles, in an original contemporary expression that honors traditional Cuban form.
Hugo Alexander Cruz Machado is a Cuban-born, award-winning, drummer and composer who has performed internationally, including South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, and the United States. Hugo is the leader of the jazz fusion music group Caminos, who have made appearances at Fábrica de Artes in Havana, Cuba, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival 2019, Carnegie Museum of Art, City of Asylum, Thunderbird Cafe and Music Hall, Westylvania Jazz and Blues Festival, and the Monroeville Jazz Festival, among many others.
In February 2022, Hugo Cruz released his first original album, Punto de Partida, with the group Caminos, featuring notable musicians from Cuba and the U.S.
From December 2022 through August 2024, Caminos hosted a lively monthly concert series called The Voice of Drums at Kingfly Spirits, which featured mostly Pittsburgh-based drummers and musicians spanning genres and cultures to join Caminos in a fresh and original expression of each other’s music. We will have some of the finest performing for you on the 10th: Mike Tomaro Sax, Eli Namay bass, Matthew Heulitt guitar, Craig Davis keys and Hugo Cruz percussion, Drums set and Vocals.
Tickets only $20!
Cuban Night
The Cuban Night is a monthly concert series at Kingfly Spirits where Hugo Cruz and Caminos brings the traditional cuban music in a un unique way. We always have some of the best musicians performing with us. This time we will have: Mike Tomaro sax, Eric Winter vocals and percussion, Jose Puentes bass, Joe Sheehan keys, Noel Quintana conga drums, Hugo Cruz timbales and vocals. We are Looking Forward to seeing you all.
Marel Hidalgo live at Con Alma
Don’t miss this exciting young guitar player from New Jersey making big waves across the int’l jazz scene at large. Looking forward to performing with Marel at Con Alma, we will do Jamaican jazz and much more.
Cuban Percussion Workshop
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Program Description
Event Details
History and Exploration of Cuban Percussion
Join Cuban drummer, musician and composer Hugo Cruz for an evening centered around the heartbeat of Cuban music: Cuban percussion! Maracas, güiro, claves, bongos, congas, and the timbales. Hugo will present a multimedia workshop showcasing and demonstrating the instruments behind popular music styles such as son montuno, danzon, Trova, jazz, jazz fusion, world music, Cuban jazz, merengue, bachata, bomba, plena, bossa nova, pop, funk, R&B and more. For music novices and aficionados, come learn about the rich history and role of these drums in Cuban, Afro Cuban, and American music styles. A Q&A will follow the presentation.
AAMI Presents: A Loving Memorial Tribute to Ahmad Jamal
Saturday, April 26, 2025
4:00pm
Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Tickets: $35
Don’t miss this extraordinary celebration of one of jazz’s greatest legends.
Born in East Liberty, legendary jazz pianist and composer Ahmad Jamal transformed the genre with his distinctive style, earning both the National Endowment for the Arts’ Jazz Master Award and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. His innovative approach influenced generations of musicians, including Miles Davis.
Jamal’s roots in Pittsburgh ran deep. He first studied piano as a child at the Dawson School of Music, just blocks from where the Afro American Music Institute (AAMI) stands today. Over the years, he maintained a close connection to AAMI, forming a bond with the Johnson family after hiring their son, James T. Johnson III, to play drums for him in the 1990s at the recommendation of Dr. Nelson Harrison.
AAMI honors his legacy with an unforgettable evening of music, celebrating his artistry through performances by a stellar lineup of musicians.
Featuring: Dr. James T. Johnson Jr., Howard Alexander III; Clifford Barnes and Dr. Alton Merrell on piano; Benjamin May on bass; Dr. Nelson Harrison on brass; Hugo Cruz and Elie Kihonia on percussion and James Johnson III on drums.
Aurora live at Con Alma
Aurora is a band that plays fusion music from the 70 to today. This band has some of the most stablished musicians in the area. The group is led by guitarist, composer, educator, producer Marty Ashby. Hugo Cruz will join the band on drums and we will like to see you there.
Cuban Night
This will be our monthly performance at Kingfly Spirits, we normally do it on the thirds Sundas but this month will be on the second Sunday. We will be performing our original cuban music and some traditional songs from the Island. We will have: Mike Tomaro sax and Vocals, Jose Layo Bass and Vocals, Joe Sheehan keys, Noel Quintana conga drums and vocals, Eric Winter vocals and percussion, Hugo Cruz percussion and Vocals. W e are looking forward to seeing you there.
Caminos fusion live
Caminos fusion band will be bringing our original music to Con Alma. We will have some special musicians this night: Siheng Ten bass, Colter Harper guitar and Hugo Cruz on drums, singing. Don’t miss a unique night at Con Alma
La Voz que Soy
KST Presents
La Voz que Soy
Friday & Saturday, April 4* – 5*, 2025 | *with discussion
7:30pm – 9:00pm (including discussion)
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
Hugo Cruz is looking forward to share the stage with Zuli Inirio and Amaury Morales
La Voz que Soy, or The Voice I Am, is Afro-Latina soprano Zuly Inirio’s reinterpretation of the 1958 French opera La voix humaine. This multidisciplinary performance-in-progress uses the opera’s original framework—revisiting her past love through a final phone call—to explore colonialism, double consciousness, Black womanhood, and the African diaspora’s legacy. By intertwining these issues with the opera’s original themes of loss, assimilation, and the cost of self-preservation, La Voz que Soy highlights Zuly’s journey as a Black Latinx woman. The piece invites audiences into meaningful conversations about identity, resilience, and the shared experiences that connect us across diverse backgrounds.
Zuly Inirio Concert
La Voz que Soy
Friday & Saturday, April 4* – 5*, 2025 | *with discussion
7:30pm – 9:00pm (including discussion)
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30.
Hugo Cruz is looking forward to these two performances with Zuly Inirio and Amaury Morales.
La Voz que Soy
Friday & Saturday, April 4* – 5*, 2025 | *with discussion
7:30pm – 9:00pm (including discussion)
KST’s Alloy Studios | 5530 Penn Ave.
Pay What Moves You: $15 – $30
La Voz que Soy, or The Voice I Am, is Afro-Latina soprano Zuly Inirio’s reinterpretation of the 1958 French opera La voix humaine. This multidisciplinary performance-in-progress uses the opera’s original framework—revisiting her past love through a final phone call—to explore colonialism, double consciousness, Black womanhood, and the African diaspora’s legacy. By intertwining these issues with the opera’s original themes of loss, assimilation, and the cost of self-preservation, La Voz que Soy highlights Zuly’s journey as a Black Latinx woman. The piece invites audiences into meaningful conversations about identity, resilience, and the shared experiences that connect us across diverse backgrounds.
Cuban Night
The Cuban Night is a monthly performance where Caminos brings the Cuban culture, dance and music to Pittsburgh. We perform some of the cuban’s more famous songs and originals from band members and Hugo Cruz. This is a very unique way to enjoy the thirds Sundays, we are looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday. Nos Vemos
Cuban Night
The Cuban Night is a concert that Caminos does every third Sundays of the month. We always perform music from Cuba in a unique way and compositions by, Cruz, Tomaro and Puentes. We will have; Noel Quintana Conga Drums, Eric Winter Vocals and percussion, Joe Sheehan Keys, Jose Puentes bass and Mike Tomaro Saxophones.
Caminos live at Con Alma
Caminos will be performing some of Hugo’s original compositions this Saturday February 8Th. We will have some of the finest performing for you: Mike Tomaro Saxophone, Mark Micchelli Keys and Siheng Ten Electric and Acoustic bass. Don’t miss a unique opportunity to listen original music with world taste and have fun with us singing alone with us.
The Cuban Night
The Cuban Night is a monthly concert Caminos does at Kingfly spirits, the band performs originals and some jazz standards in a cuban music styles. Caminos will have: Mike Tomaro Vocals and Sax, Joe Sheehan keys, Jose Layo vocals and bas, Noel Quintana congas and vocals, Eric Winter vocals and percussion and Hugo Cruz percussion and Vocals
Caminos Live
Caminos is so looking forward to comeback to one of the best places in town, City of Asylum. This time we will perform some of our original music with surprises, you definately should not miss this concert., We will have some of the fin est young musisians in town, JD Chaisson trumpet, Mark Micchelli piano and Keys, Eli Namay acoustic and electric bass, Frank DiDiano electric guitar and Hugo Cruz drums set plus percussion. Get your free tickets here https://cityofasylum.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/instances/a0FPa000001gUkHMAU
Caminos Cuban Way Live
The Cuban Night is a concert series that Caminos has been doing for almost two years at Kingfly Spirits. Every third Sunday Caminos showcase some of of Cuban Music styles and Hugo Cruz compositions in these styles. We will have some of the finest musicians in town, Joe Sheehan keys, Mike Tomaro sax, Noel Quintana conga drums, Jose Layo Bass and Eric Winter vocals plus percussion. Come and celebrate with Caminos the last Cuban Night of 2024.
Caminos Fusion Live
This time Caminos will be presenting some of Hugo’s compositions plus some Christmas songs. Caminos will have some of the finest, Mike Tomaro Sax, Mark Micchelli Keys, Frank DiDiano electric guitar and Siheng Ten Bass.
Latin Crew Live at Con Alma
The Latin Crew is a band directed by percussionist Noel Quintana. The band play tradicional Cuban Music and Latin Jazz. Hugo Cruz will be on timbales and vocals.
Tomaches Trio Live
Tomchess Trio live at the new Sprezzatura location. Tomchess will be performing on the Oud and Ney, Eli Namay will be on bass and Hugo Cruz drums set. This music is original, experimental and unique, writen by Tomchess.
Suite Life 2024 | A Celebration of Billy Strayhorn & Gene Kelly
Hugo Cruz and Caminos is honored to be a part of “Suite Life,” a Pittsburgh tradition spanning 2 decades, celebrating the music and art of Pittsburgh natives Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly. Musical director Hugo Cruz electrifies the beloved jazz standards of Billy Strayhorn with fresh arrangements that incorporate Cuban and Afro Cuban melodies, harmonies, and rhythms, performed by vocalist Chantal Joseph, percussionist Degnis Bofill, saxophonist Mike Tomaro, pianist Joe Sheehan, bassist Brian Stahurski, and drummer Hugo Cruz.
From KST’s website:
Suite Life, KST’s annual celebration of namesakes and Pittsburgh entertainment legends Billy Strayhorn and Gene Kelly is back with a brand new beat! This Fall, musical director Hugo Cruz brings Latin percussion to Strayhorn’s music and imagery from Kelly’s film career. Directed by Fall 2023 Freshworks artist Pria Dahiya, the evening performance promises to invigorate your favorite jazz standards with fresh vitality.
Join us for an exclusive VIP Sound Check before the performance. With advanced concert seating, elevated hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Suite Life, the reception welcomes Jazz enthusiasts to mix and mingle at KST’s favorite Holiday Tradition.
VIP Sound check tickets: $100 – $200
Concert Tickets: $35 – $65
Find your tickets by clicking this link Get YOUR TICKETS HERE!
Light Up
Hugo Cruz and Caminos will be performing in the Light Up Night on Stanwix St. Caminos will be bring it’s original music and it’s going to be an special night. We are going to have Mark Micchelli on Keys, Brian Stahurski Bass, Mike Tomaro sax and Noel Quintana Percussion. Thanks to Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership for having us
Caminos Trio Live in The PHDC Building
This is a fundraiser event where Caminos trio will perform it’s original music. This fundraising event is a unique opportunity to demonstrate that, together, we can make a significant deference and continue building a equitable and prosperous future for the hispanic community in Pittsburgh, get your tickets here
We will have Frank DiDiano guitar
Jose Layo Bass
Caminos Latin Way live
This will be our monthly performance at Con Alma, one of the best jazz clubs in town. This time Caminos Cuban way will be performing cuban music in a unique way. We will have some of the finest, Jose Layo Bass, Joe Sheehan keys, Noel Quintana conga drums and Mike Tomaro sax. Don’t miss it.
Caminos Latin Way live
Hugo Cruz and Caminos is so exited to perform in the 2nd annual ¡Baila Con ALPFA! Do not miss our 2nd annual Baila con ALPFA event and our largest event of the year. This event has a little bit of everything. There will be Salsa lessons prior to Hugo Cruz and Caminos performing. Outside of dancing, there are exhibits dedicated to the Latin America, including their main exhibit featuring Haiti. In addition, enjoy great food and beverages!
¡Baila Con ALPFA! is ALPFA Pittsburgh’s annual celebration honoring the hard work and achievements of our Latinx/Hispanic community throughout the year. The event will bring together Latinx businesses and organizations for an evening of dance and entertainment. Our highlight of the night will be a performance by the renowned Hugo Cruz and Caminos band, along with dance instructors to keep the energy high. Tickets here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baila-con-alpfa-tickets-1047442226897?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
Aurora Live at Con Alma
Aurora is a band led by guitarist, composer Marty Ashby, this band has some of the finest musicians in the area, such us: Max Leake keys, Mike Tomaro sax, Jeff Bush trombone, Brian Stahurski bass and Hugo Cruz on drums set
Caminos Cuban way Live
This is a monthly concert Caminos does every third Sundays of the month at Kingfly Spirits. We play traditional Cuban Music on Hugo’s own compositions, honoring the music from Cuban in PA. this is the only place that happens in Pittsburgh so we want you to come and enjoy it. We will have Noel Quintana conga drums, Jose Layo bass, Joe Sheehan keys and Mike Tomaro Sax.
Caminos Fusion band Live
This is a residency that Caminos is doing every second Saturdays at Con Alma. This time will be the fusion band where we play Hugo’s originals compositions that involves many music styles such us: Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro Cuban Music, Fusion, RandB, Funk and more. We will have Mike Tomaro Sax, Mark Micchelli keys and Siheng Ten Bass. Don’t miss a unique time at Con Alma one of the best Jazz Clubs in town today.
Ben Barson book presentation
This concert is very exited and unique, i’m going to have the oportunity to perform with Ben, the person that did everything for me to be in USA today. This concert will be focus in Ben’s new book and you should not miss it.
Freedom of creative expression comes in many different forms. In his book Brassroots Democracy: Maroon Ecologies and the Jazz Commons, musician and activist Benjamin Barson explores one such form of expression: jazz music. The book dives into the birth of jazz, and unearths vibrant narratives of New Orleans musicians to illuminate the Black Atlantic struggles that informed music-as-world-making from the Haitian Revolution through Reconstruction to the jazz revolution. The work presents a “music history from below,” following musicians as they built communes, performed at Civil Rights rallies, and participated in general strikes, placing emphasis on the first emancipatory revolution in the Americas, and tracing the impact of Haitian culture in New Orleans and its legacy in movements for liberation.
This program will bring Ben’s research to life, as he takes the stage with a group of Pittsburgh and New York based musicians to reimagine the music discussed in the book and its resonance in our current moment.
You can purchase your own copy of Ben’s book, Brassroots Democracy, at City of Asylum Bookstore.
Caminos Cuban band live
This is a concert we do every month at Kingfly Spirits called Cuban Night, we try to bring the Cuban Culture to Pittsburgh and we hope you join us. We will have Joe Sheehan Piano, Bob Inko bass, Mike Tomaro sax, Eric Winter vocals, Noel Quintana conga drums and Hugo Cruz vocals + Percussion.
Latin Crew Live
The Latin Crew is a band led by percussionist Noel Quintana, this band plays many known tunes in a Cuban music style, Mike Tomaro will be on sax, Jose Layo Bass, Joe Sheehan keys and Hugo Cruz percussion.
Caminos Cuban band
Caminos will be coming from the Taco festival to play at Con Alma the same day, we hope you join us either at the festival or at Con Alma, one of the best places for music in town.
Caminos cuban band live
This time Caminos will be closing The Taco Festival. We will bring original dance music and you should be ready to dance. We will have Maria Eugenia vocals, Noel Quintana Conga Drums, Joe Sheehan piano, Jose Layo Bass, Eric Winter vocals and percussion, Mike Tomaro Sax, Reggie Watkins Trombone.
Live Music from Muziki Ensemble
This band has some of the Pittsburgh legends, such as; Max Leake piano, Tubby Daniels vibraphone, leading the band will be Christopher Dean Sullivan, Hugo Cruz will be joining on drums set. They will play many jazz tunes in a unique way, don’t miss a wonderful opportunity to listen some beautiful and historical music.
Caminos trio live
The Role of Arts and Culture in building Global Cities. Check out this link, Open to everyone https://worldpittsburgh.networkforgood.com/events/75018-the-role-of-arts-and-culture-in-building-global-cities
The trio will be Frank DiDiano Guitar, Jose Layo Bass and Hugo Cruz percussion and vo