Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés - (Pianist, arranger, composer, bandleader) Born in Havana Cuba, Chuchito Valdes comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe. Some of his worldwide appearances have included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Green Dolphin Street in Chicago, The Jazz Festivals of Havana, Cancun and Merida, as well as a recent festival performance in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Music Festival. Eli Naragon on Bass, Rafael Monteagudo Drums and Hugo Cruz on percussion for the first time with Valdés. Get the Tickets here https://www.bluesalley.com/events

Jesus "Chuchito" Valdés - (Pianist, arranger, composer, bandleader) Born in Havana Cuba, Chuchito Valdes comes from one of the most distinguished musical families in Cuba. He has recorded and performed piano with the world renown Cuban band, Irakere, which he led for 2 years. He has performed at festivals, clubs and concerts throughout the world: from Cuba and the Caribbean, across the United States and South America, and throughout Europe. Some of his worldwide appearances have included Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London and Green Dolphin Street in Chicago, The Jazz Festivals of Havana, Cancun and Merida, as well as a recent festival performance in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Music Festival. Eli Naragon on Bass, Rafael Monteagudo Drums and Hugo Cruz on percussion for the first time with Valdés. Tickets here https://www.bluesalley.com/events

Hugo Cruz returns to Con Alma! Don’t miss an exciting night of Latin jazz fusion all in one.

Hugo Cruz - percussion, drums, vocals

Jose “Layo” Puentes - bass

Mike Tomaro - sax

Craig Davis - keys

“Hugo Alexander Cruz Machado is a Cuban-born, award winning, international drummer, composer, band leader and educator who has performed in South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, and the United States.

Hugo is the leader of the group Caminos, who have made appearances at The Smithsonian Museum, Fábrica de Artes in Havana, Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Carnegie Museum, and the Erie Blues and Jazz Festival, among others.

Caminos fuse rhythms and melodies of Afro-Cuban, Cuban, and American music, in an original contemporary expression that honors traditional Cuban form.

Caminos have released two albums: Figure It Out (2026) and Punto de Partida (2022), both of which feature notable musicians from Cuba and the United States, bridging genres of Afro Cuban, traditional Cuban, American jazz, funk, rock, R&B, big band, drum and bass, and danzón.”

Join the World Affairs Council as we celebrate 95 years of creating a world with you, right here in Pittsburgh, where we have connected as a community, considered global perspectives, and inspired each other to make a local impact. As we near the century mark, you can support the future of that work while simultaneously enjoying an evening of live jazz, a live auction, and live wires from around town. In other words, the best, brightest, and grooviest from across the region will be there to clink glasses with you. Link for tickets: https://worldpittsburgh.networkforgood.com/events/104327-2026-world-of-jazz-the-council-s-95th-anniversary-soiree

Hugo Cruz and Caminos band with special guest Chantal Joseph will be performing at The Warren United Methodist Church. We will have some talented musicians performing for you: José Puentes bass, Craig Davis keys and Mike Tomaro Sax. Tickets in this link,https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-hill-is-alive-with-the-sound-of-jazz Don’t miss it!

I’ll be Performing with Mike Tomaro’s quartet at Con Alma. Performing original music and arrangements by Mike, Don’t miss it

We are so Looking forward to seeing you all at Phips Conservatory this September 17th at 6:30pm. Check this link for tickets https://my.conservatory.org/10557/jazzsept17

Caminos will be presenting and our newest album named Figure It Out and we will be having many wonderful artists performing for you. Kelsey Jumper, Vocals, Tap Dancing and Percussion, Chantal Joseph vocals, percussion, Mike Tomaro Sax, Percussion, Vocals, Craig Davis Keys, Eli Namay bass, Frank DiDiano guitar. Come and check out original music in a beautiful space, Don’t Miss it.

Hugo Cruz and Caminos as a duo with the amazing Craig Davis on keys live at the Carnegie Library for the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival. Come and Check out the music of Caminos new album as a duo. Don’t miss it! Free for everyone

The Latin Crew will be at The Youngstown Amphitheatre. Led by percussionist Noel Quintana this band plays cuban music and salsa, come and enjoy a unique time with music that will make you smile and dance with out stop. Hugo Cruz will be performing on timbales and vocals. Free to the public

I’ll be performing cuban+salsa music with The Latin Crew led by Noel Quintana and so many other wonderful musicians. Do'n’t miss the opportunity to listen a full band performing this unique music to dance and have fun. Free to the public

Free Concert with the Jack Tuner band live at Homewood Carnegie Library, Performing jazz and funk in a unique way. Don’t miss it! Hugo Cruz will be on drums

Aurora will be bring the fusion music to Con Alma with some of the most talented musicians in the City of Pittsburgh. Marty Ashby leading and guitar, Max Leake keys, Kurt Lorence bass, Mike Tomaro sax, Jeff Bush trombone and Hugo Cruz drums. Don’t miss it!

I’ll be performing with my drums for a dance class by instructor Matias Johnson. The class will be focus on rhythms like: Charanga, Pilón and Mambo. $25 will be charged at the door. Don’t miss it!

Caminos will be bringing authentic Cuban music and jazz to Falling Water this August 29th. We hope to see you there. Mike Tomaro sax, Joe Sheehan keys and Jose Layo bass. Thank you to MCG Jazz for having us.

Come and enjoy an evening of beautiful music. Craig Davis piano, Kendra Ross vocals, Frank DiDiano guitar, Brian Stahurski bass and Hugo Cruz Drums set. Don’t miss it!

Kenneth E. Powell is a distinguished
musician and educator with a Doctorate
in Education and a Master’s in
Ethnomusicology. He
has performed with famous artists like
George Benson and Aretha Franklin. The band will have some very talented musicians and band leaders, such as:

Viii Dorsey vocals, Howie Alexander keys, Ely Namay bass and Hugo Cruz on drums. See you all there.

Aurora will be bringing the Fusion Music to the Arts Landing stage. Don’t miss it.

Hugo Cruz and Caminos Cuban Way is bringing dance music to this very special event, organized by Apasionado Dance. Caminos will have: Joe Sheehan keys, Brian Stahurski bass, Noel Quintana conga drums, Mike Tomaro sax and Hugo Cruz Timbales and Vocals. Come and listen and dance to authentic Cuban music! Cuban food will be served.

Aurora is a band led by guitarist Marty Ashby, this band has some of the most stable musicians in town, such as; Mike Tomaro, Jeff Bush, Max Leake, Kurt Lorence and Hugo Cruz. Come and enjoy fusion music from the 80th to today!

Ceramic Knives is a Ukrainian-American band based in Pittsburgh. Formed by filmmaker, writer, and musician Oleksandr Frazé-Frazénko and vocalist Mari Frazé-Frazénko, the group blends post-punk, blues, experimental rock, and Ukrainian folk influences into a sound that is raw, immediate, and unmistakably its own. Come and check us out at the festival.

Caminos live at Con Alma, one of the best places for jazz in the city of Pittsburgh. We will be performing a collection of our new album Figure It Out songs + music from our first album Punto De Partida and some new tunes that I have been working on. We will have some of the finest musicians in town, such as: Mike Tomaro sax and vocals, Eli Namay Bass, Craig Davis keys, Hugo Cruz Drums set. See you all there!

Music, Art and Connection in one for the most unique places in the south side of Pittsburgh. The music will be coming from Vocalist Jessica Lee’s trio with Mark Strickland guitar and Hugo Cruz Percussion this concert will from 6pm to 6:45pm, then we will have a one hour jam session starting at 7 where everyone is invited to perform with us.

Looking forward to performing at Bethel Park Community Center as a trio, we will play music from our second album Figure It Out, as well some new arrangements of jazz tunes that are very well known. We will have these very talented musicians: Jeff Grubs acoustic bass and Craig Davis keys.

We are so looking forward to bringing our original music to Shenandoah University. Register in this link nationaljazzworkshop.org

I’ll be teaching a percussion workshop about, Jazz, Afro Cuban Jazz and more on Tuesday at 3:30pm and then a concert with the school big band at 7pm.

I’m so looking forward to perform with these amazing musicians and friends:

Mike Tomaro sax and arranging for the Big Band

Frank DiDiano guitar

Craig Davis keys

Brian Stahurski bass

Come and experience original cuban music with some of the best musicians in town. We will have Frank DiDiano guitar, Jose Layo bass, Noel Quintana conga drums, Joe Segelke trumpet. Get your tickets through this link: https://www.steelcitykizomba.com/vibras Thanks a lot to the steel city kizomba for having us.

Caminos is so looking forward to bring the Cuban Music to The City Winery Pittsburgh, Get your tickets here and Let’s Have some fun! https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/hugo-cruz-and-caminos-cuban-jazz-party-brunch-9qoeav?_gl=1*1msgf8d*_gcl_au*OTgxNzYzOTQuMTc4MTgyMjQyNA..*_ga*NDQ4ODE3MDg0LjE3ODE4MjI0MjQ.*_ga_4QGPZ6P9NP*czE3ODI1MDk0MjEkbzIkZzEkdDE3ODI1MDk0MjEkajYwJGwwJGgyNDUxMDQ3MTE.

We will have some of the best musicians in town:

Joe Sheehan keys

Jose Layo bass+vocals

Noel Quintana conga drums + vocals

Mike Tomaro sax+vocals

Hugo Cruz timbales+vocals

I’m so looking forward to keep sharing some of the afro cuban culture with Apasionado Dance, This time I’ll be sharing some of the most popular rhythms from the Rumba world: Guaguancó and Yambú. This class is for percussionist, dancers, nonpercussionist and non musicias as well. Call Matias to this number to reserve your spot: 412 805 9798. See you all there!

Performing Jazz Fusion Music with Aurora a band with some of the most talented musicians in town, such as:

Marty Ashby - gtr

Mike Tomaro - sax

Jeff Bush - trombone

Max Leake - piano

Hugo Cruz - drums

Caminos will be performing at Hartwood Acres starting at 7:30 pm. We will be bringing a collection of our first and second albums. Don’t miss a unique time in one of the must beautiful outdoor places in PA. Opening for Tito Puente Jr. Nos vemos allí!

Mike Tomaro: sax, vocals, percussion

Craig Davis: keys

Eli Namay: bass

Hugo Cruz: drums set and percussion

Craig Davis is an accomplished pianist on the jazz scene, with over three decades of experience as a performer and educator. Craig began piano lessons at age 5, and was mentored in his hometown of Pittsburgh by drummer Roger Humphries (Ray Charles, Horace Silver, Joe Henderson). After receiving his Undergraduate degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University-Bloomington and his Masters in JazzArts from Manhattan School of Music, Craig toured with Artie Shaw Orchestra and made his New York debut as a leader at ‘The Kitano’ on Park Avenue. In 2024, Craig’s trio performed 6 shows at the Kennedy Center with the Washington Ballet (Jazz Icons: A Fine Romance), and performed at Birdland in NYC. He will be performing his music at Con Alma with some great musicians and Hugo Cruz will be on drums set. Don’t miss a unique night at Con Alma.