Universal Rhythm

Will Cruz was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 1st 1957. In 1961 my family moved to Bayamon, Puerto Rico to then new “Lomas Verdes” on of the first subdivisions build there. My first summer job was at a local TV station were my father worked known as “WAPA TV” at “Channel 4” in Puerto Rico in 1965. There, I was hand picked for my big hands by Mr. “Guiriche” Castro, whom became my first teacher. Wiriche was Lito Peña’s Panamerican Orchestra conga player. This big band was the best in Puerto Rico and WAPA’s steady band. I saw the best artist and vocalist of the Island. They were part of this band at one time or other. Later, most of them became bandleaders themselves. Some names I recall are: Ismael Rivera, Chico Rivera, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Elias Lopez, Mario Ortiz, and others great Latin music Icons. After “Wiriche”, destiny put me together with Mr. Pedro “Cortijito” Perdomo. “Cortijito” was one of Cesta label artist. He helped me reach the next level as a soloist, and a stage percussionist. Still today I have never seen any soloist with his unique style. Cortijito was Kako’s regular conga player, and exchanged seats on “Alegre All Stars” performances, and recordings with Frankie Malabe, Johnny Rodriguez, Willie Rosario, Orlando Marin, and of course his band leader Kako. I could not be at a better place, and time. He walked me through the transition from a rumbero, to a stage band percussionist teaching me instruments from congas, bongo, and timbales, to Bata, chekere, and other world percussions. Soon I was playing with neighborhood bands like “La Positiva” were I tracked my first recording on timbales in 1971. Then I was part of many bands like “Chino’s Sonora”, Orq. Taboo, and other local bands like Yambo (now know as “Mulenze”). I was blessed growing up at the pick of salsa; better know as “Salsa’s Golden Years”. I have recorded, and share stage with great salsa icons like: Ismael Miranda, Poldo Castro, Marvin Santiago, Chocolate Armenderos, Santos Colon, Celia Cruz, Jose Mangual Jr., Melcochita, some of the Lebron brothers. In 1986 I had my first experience as lead singer with Orquesta Sarabanda. We recorded the only nationally hit from Houston ever: “El Barranquillero Arrebatao”, were I sang and played un-credited on the parts due to differences with our manager. After leaving Sarabanda, I dedicated my time to composing, with the goal of coming out with a band with my own style and music. Finally my opportunity came, and I founded my first group in 1989. “El Conjunto Saoco” was trombone based tumbao, were I played congas while sharing lead vocals with a known lead Singer from New York called Danny Bryant. He came down to Houston to form part of a team of three co-leading vocalist with Sergio Parra and I. Danny came from Henry Fiol’s salsa band and had just hit as a soloist with the hit song “El Botellero”. Together were establishing my first band. After a few years, and transitions my band’s transformed in to a semi-big band with trumpets, trombones, and tenor sax, and was lead by my soul brother and music director Mr. Gil Valentin. Gil was a seasoned tenor player from my birth home, Brooklyn NY. With Gil it was the perfect combination, I wrote the songs and with Gil’s arrangements, they worked like cookies and milk together. By 1991, Salsa had changed and gone soft, and became “Salsa Monga” (weak salsa). At that point it was time for me walk away from Salsa music, and start experimenting with other types of music. I walked thru gospel, rock, RMB, jazz, and there was my second love. Latinjazz. In 1999 Gil Valentin and I were united again, and co-leaded one of the hottest Latin jazz groups in Houston: “Universal Rhythm”. We smoked every stage we were on. This band was ready for National recognition, but was interrupted by tragedy with the loss of this exceptional human been in June/15/2000. Our recording will be out by the summer of 2003. After I lost my long friend and partner. I was contemplating retirement, but felt it was not time. Slowly I was responding to freelancing and recording calls with other artist. Locally, I recorded with jazz great Joe Sample, with Erin Wright, Juan Manuel, Mark Towns, Solar Wind and other local artist, and played with other local bands. Then, God united me with another great human being/musician, Mr. Carlos Garnett. Carlos had experience an amazing music life. He played and recorded with cats like Miles Davis, Art Balkey, Freddie Hubbard, Charles Mingus, and other jazz giants. Together we made a great combination of brass and rhythm. We arranged various tunes together and formed the group “Carlos Garnett & Will Cruz Latinjazztet”. Today, we’re back to smoking stages, and looking forward to record our first album together with other great local musicians like: Jose Miguel Yamal, Anthony McKinney, Chris Axelrad, and Eddie Lewis.