Hugo Cruz will be closing up the Taco Festival. We are always exited to perform in this unique and origin al festival. This time we will have: Mariaeugenia Nieves vocals and percussion, Joe Sheehan keys, Mike Tomaro sax, Jose Layo bas, Noel Quintana conga drums and Hugo Cruz Vocals, percussion and leading the band. We are so looking forward to seeing you all. Don’t misss it. Tickets here https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/21016/the-original-pittsburgh-taco-festival?orderBy=2

The Latin Crew is a authentic Latin Jazz group led by percussionist Noel Quintana. This band performs many Cuban and Afrocuban songs. This band will have Maikol Perez from Cuba on piano, Jose Layo bass, Mike Tomaro Sax, Noel Quintana conga drums and Hugo Cruz Timbales.

Aurora is a band led by guitarist, composer, educator, Marty Ashby. This band focus in fusion music all the way from the 60 to todays. The goup has some of the most notables musicians in Pittsburgh, such as: Mike Tomaro sax, Brian Stahurski bass, Max Leake keys, Jeff Bush trombone, Marty Ashby guitar and Hugo Cruz on drums set.

It’s the final of three concerts in percussionist Hugo Cruz’s Voice of the Drums series! Hugo Cruz began his Voice of the Drums project in 2022, with the vision of using the drums—a centuries-old instrument and a key instrument in many cultures—to bring together musicians from different backgrounds. One great show after another, Hugo has curated performances with some of the best musicians the music scene has to offer. In June, he collaborated with the legendary Roger Humphries; in July, he worked with James Johnson III; and this August, for the series finale, Hugo will take the stage with vocalist Chantal Joseph. Together with the band, the pair will fuse classic tunes with the Cuban drum tradition, which has influences from Africa, China, Russia, and Western Art Music. Tickets in this link https://cityofasylum.org/program/hugo-cruz-ft-chantal-joseph/Featured Musicians:

Chantal Joseph: vocals, percussion

Mike Tomaro: sax

Joe Sheehan: keys

Brian Stahurski: bass

Hugo Cruz: drums

Rumbón de la Calle is an ensemble of locally-based percussionists and drummers of the African diaspora emulating the community gatherings of their respective countries: Puerto Rico, Republic of Congo, Cuba and the United States.

No registration required!

We are always so looking forward to share authentic Cuban and Afro Cuban music every third Sundays of the Month at one of the most beautiful places in the City, Kingfly Spirits. This time we will have some of the finest performing this music in the area, Joe Sheehan keys, Jose Layo bass and vocals, Noel Quintana conga drums and Vocals, Mike Tomaro Sax and Vocals, Hugo Cruz Timbales and Vocals. Don’t miss a unique time in the city of Pittsburgh.

Caminos will be performing at Con Alma in August 9th from 7pm to 11pm. We will be performing our original music with Jazz, Cuban and Afro Cuban authentic music. We will have Eli Namay bass, Mike Tomaro Sax, Joe Sheehan keys and Mathew Heulitt Guitar. Definitely a beautiful night to enjoy great, drinks, foods, company and music in one of the best spots in Pittsburgh today.

Hugo Cruz and Caminos will be performing at Katz Plaza this August 5th from 5pm to 7pm. This is a concert series that we have been apart for three years and we love to share the music with the enthusiastic people that come to these live performances. This tima we will be performing music from our first album and some new music. We will have some very talented musicians performing for you: Mike Tomaro Sax, Alex Perez Trumpet, Brian Stahurski bass and Michael Bernabe keys. Thanks a lot to MCGJazz and Pittsburgh Culture Trust for having us.

Hugo Cruz and Caminos Quartet will be bringing some authentic cuban music to Westmorland on July 31. Caminos performed last year and it was a beautiful time with many people in the Court Yard. We want to see you this time.

This time The Voice of Drums will feature the great James Johnson III on drums set. The friend ship between James and Hugo comes back to 2019 when Hugo moved to the States. They have been playing since then and there is a beautiful energy when they play that we want to share with you all this day. Don’t miss a unique time at City of Asylum for stellar music, environment with food and drinks. Get your free tickets for watching the event online or coming to City Of Asylum in this link https://cityofasylum.org/program/world-of-music-hugo-cruz/

Tito Puente, Jr. and His Latin Jazz Ensemble Bring Exhilarating Latin Rhythms to The Strand! Hugo Cruz, Noel Quintana, Jose Layo and others great musicians from Pittsburgh will be joining the band, Tickets in this link http://thestrandtheater.org/event/tito-puente-jr

Aurora is a band that performs fusion jazz music from the 60 to today. This band has some of the most incredibles musicians in town and is led by the great Marty Ashby, Hugo Cruz will be joining the band on drums set and you don’t want to miss a unique night at Con Alma.

The Cuban Night is a concert series that Hugo Cruz does every third Sundays at Kingfly Spirits. The goal is to showcase the cuban traditional music and culture. Caminos will perform styles like; Son Montuno, Changui, Charanga, Mambo, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha and more.

We are so looking forward to bring a very successful concert serie to City of Asylum. The voice of drums is an idea of Hugo Cruz and the focus is to invite some of the notables drums set players and musicians in town to perform with Hugo Cruz and Caminos, this project had some great years at Kingfly Spirits and now Hugo is bringing it to City of Asylum. This time Caminos will be featuring the father of jazz in Pittsburgh, the legendary drummer Roger humphries. Roger and Hugo will be performing somne songs from the americam and Cuban song book in a unique mix of Afroamerican and Afrocuban beats. This concert will have some great musicians joining Roger and Hugo: Lou Stellute sax, Max Leake piano and Siheng Ten bass. A unique night full of music and histories from the host and special guest. Find the free in person and live stream tickets here https://cityofasylum.org/program/hugo-cruz-voice-of-the-drums/

Caminos trio will be performing in this concert seris that the City of Pittsburgh putted together. This trio will have some of the finest and itll be the first time we play Cami nos music with this formation. Mike Tomaro saxophones, Siheng Ten bass and Hugo Cruz drums, percussion and Vocals.

This june 15th Caminos will be celebrating Father’s Day at Kingfly Spirits, another special place for music in Pittsburgh.

This time we will have Jose Puentes on bass, Noel Quintana conga drums, Eric Winter vocals + percussion, Mike Tomaro Saxophones and Hugo Cruz percussion and vocals. The music will be focus in some of the cuban most famous songs and some originals from Caminos. Definitely a special night at Kingfly.

Caminos will be performing at Con Alma, one of the most cohesive and welcoming venues for jazz in Pittsburgh. This time we will have some of the finest in town: Mike Tomaro saxophones, Joe Sheehan keys, Siheng Ten bass and Hugo Cruz, drums, vocals. Caminos will be performing music from our firs album and some new tunes.

This is a concert series call Stay Longer,. This concert series is presented by Sandbox Social. Caminos quartet will be performing with: Eric Winter vocals + percussion, Joe Sheehan keys, Brian Stahurski Bass and Hugo Cruz drums set + Vocals. Foods and drinks available by donation. The chef will be Phillip de Luna. OPEN TO EVERYONE, with suggested donation of $15

Program Type:

Workshop on percussion instruments and the Music they where first use.

Age Group: Everyone

Program Description: Workshop about some of the must cuban percussion instruments used in many styles of music around the world. We will have 30 minutes for a Q&A afterr the workshop.

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. 

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.

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.

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!

Buy Tickets

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

Saturday, April 26, 2025
4:00pm

Kelly Strayhorn Theater | 5941 Penn Ave.
Tickets: $35 

BUY TICKETS HERE! 

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 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.

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 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

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

buy TICKETS HERE!

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.

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

buy TICKETS HERE!

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.

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