Thursday Night Jazz: Hugo Cruz & Caminos Perform the Music of Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers (with a Cuban Twist!)

Photo Courtesy of Hugo Cruz

Drummer Hugo Cruz—originally from Cuba, now firmly planted in Pittsburgh—pays homage to the legendary Pittsburgh jazz drummer Art Blakey, one of the most influential jazz musicians of all time. Since his arrival in Pittsburgh, Hugo himself has been hugely influenced by Art Blakey, and this concert is a chance to show his gratitude to the drumming hero from the warmth of the Alphabet City stage. Hugo will be joined by his quintet, the Caminos, to travel through Art Blakey’s discography and infuse the sounds of his new home in Pittsburgh with those of his home country of Cuba. 

The Caminos will perform seven songs, newly arranged by Hugo. The setlist and new arrangements include: “One By One” (Afro Cuban 2/4), “Mosaic” (Gagá style, a Haitian and afrocubano music style), “No Problem” (Cuban Changüi style), “Free for All” (Songo style, a globally popular style that originated in Cuba in the 1970s), “Alone Came Betty” (Abakua style, inspired by an Afro Cuban religion with its own distinct music and rhythms), Bu’s Delight” (Songo style), and “Moanin” (Santiago de Cuba conga style, rooted in a highly significant city in the history of Cuba and its music and deeply connected with the music of New Orleans). 

Featured Musicians:

Mike Tomaro: sax

JD Chaisson: trumpet

Craig Davis: keyboard, piano

Eli Namay: electric and acoustic bass

Hugo Cruz: musical director, drumset, percussion

About the Artist:

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.

About Your Visit: 

The in-house restaurant, Cucina Alfabeto, is open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Please visit OpenTable or call 412-435-1111 to make a reservation.