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Al Cruz is poised to unleash fabulocious hot shots destined for his name to tingle on the lips and dip on the hips of all music lovers. Infectious speaker thumping jams like Crazy Life and Shake That Ass proves that R&B singer/songwriter/musician Cruz is the next rising star on the musical horizon. His album promises penetrating party singles with catchy hooks and a provoking ballad, which Cruz shyly states, "is just for the ladies cause I just want to give it to them slowly."
His debut album, yet un-named, is a selection of 16 out of 23 songs influencing romantic expression and exciting the party spirit sung with a bold rich velvet voice nurtured through years of preparation and performance. "My inspiration comes from friends and some personal experiences. Everybody experiences love at least once. Everybody experiences some form of pain and pleasure. I am able to feel their pain and translate that into song."
He collaborated with producer/songwriter Craig "Stereo" Baxter and Earl "Junior" Lyn President of the Long Island, NY based Jam Roc Records for a polished sound and created songs solidified by a foundation of honor, love and respect. Puerto Rican Shorty kicks up a bouncy storm with the sing along hook and slick with the hip-hop riff , this is for the mommies my Puerto Rican mommies. Raining Roses delivers a melodic message floating on a piano lead to a special lady telling her how he really feels. If asked he'll walk to the end of the Earth for her, give her the moon and the stars and climb the highest mountain cause she owns his heart. Spend My Life constructs an intoxicating love song of tender moments of missing his baby. Whatever You Want speaks the beautiful woman he's watching from across the room. He asking can rock, freak and be the man who gets to go home with her. If so he'll be there in a hurry.
With his alluring big brown eyes, inviting smile and ever so slender physique, Cruz is a present ready to be opened. Once unwrapped, he exposes emotional poetic lyrics accented by innocence and built by youthful fantasies of dreams come true. Although Cruz is only 20, his mature charm sparkles on a career well paved with moments of greatness.
Currently attending, R&B singer/songwriter/pianist Al Cruz has made an incredible impression on the entertainment scene when he moved audiences at the White House on numerous occasions. He sung an emotional rendition of "When You Wish Upon a Star" at Disney World (1997) for Mrs. Hillary Clinton, Roy Disney and Michael Eisner at Walt Disney's 25th Anniversary Special and a heartfelt performance of "Angel" for Goya's 60th Anniversary Special.
Born of Puerto Rican heritage in the Bronx, New York Alberto Cruz Jr. started singing at nine years old. His first audience was his family and friends, which sparked a desire for entertaining that stayed with him as he grew up. A life changing chance to perform in his school's production gave young Al Cruz a taste of audience appreciation.
The excitement was overwhelming when his music teacher Mark "Skipper" Finkel auditioned him for the school production. Al Cruz sang Ben E. King's classic "Stand By Me" and wowed the crowd. He remembers, "I started bugging him cause I wanted to be in the Glee Club. He auditioned various classes and I kept telling him that I could sing but he just brushed me off. Finally he gave me the mic and put me on stage. I ended up doing the show for every grade." After that Skipper introduced Al to Harold Maldonado Jr. of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club.
Al Cruz sang with K-Company, The Performing Arts Unit of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club throughout his junior school days. In 1993 and 1998 they left and everlasting impression in Puerto Rico on two tours. In 1994 they performed for a fundraiser tour (Seattle, Washington) for the Boys and Girls Club of America hosted by Denzel Washington.
With a reputation of brilliance K-Company performed for Care for Kids, which was broadcasted on America's Talking (WB/WPIX/ N.Y.) throughout 1994 - 1996. In 1995 they inspired many at the New York City Marathon for the United Way and was seen on NY1's all day broadcast of the 1998 Goodwill Games held at Battery Park. To date they have performed in over Fifty different benefits though out New York, Boston, Connecticut, New Jersey, Philadelphia and the rest of the United States and has been showcased on channels 7, 11, 41, 47 and various cable channels in New York. They even made the front cover of BJ's Holiday Magazine with General Colin Powell.
Al Cruz made friends with American Country star Kenny Rogers in 1993 When he and a a select group of boys and girls from the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club performed at Roger's annual Christmas Show, which continued for three consecutive years. Then Al Cruz performed in Kenny Rogers Christmas From The Heart special at New York City's Beacon Theater .
While all this was going on, Al Cruz was in motion dancing at Jimmy's Bronx Café. But it was with Jayson Molina and his Dancing Stars, a Latin group showcasing fancy and intriguing moves of the Salsa and Mambo that Al Cruz met Latin star La India. As fate would have it he was performing at a club called Side Street (Bronx) the night La India performed. After her show the audience requested that she let him sing. And she did. And he impressed her. That night onstage she promised to take him to Madison Square Garden with her. And she did. And he gave an outstanding performance. He continued to perform with her as a back up singer; often he sang a solo, and dancer in Puerto Rico and at various venues around New York.
To his theater credits, Al Cruz garnered the title role of Twist in the George Street Playhouse (New Brunswick, NJ) production of Oliver Twist (where he acquired the artful skill of tap dancing). "Twist was my very first professional theater show. I played Twist, the Black version of Oliver Twist. I was acting, singing, and dancing; I learned how to tap on the set. It was a lot of work. I was there 24/7 and I was loving it. I got the chance to work with Mercedes Ellington (Duke Ellington's granddaughter) and that was good for me cause she has a lot of experience choreographing Broadway shows." Al Cruz said.
He also worked closely with the workshop for the hit Broadway musical The Lion King (1996) and was chosen as Simba's understudy. He also participated in the workshop for Paul Simon's Broadway production "The Capeman" in 1996.
Entertainment is his life. His gift is his golden voice backed by his excellent piano playing and highlighted by his intriguing stage presence. Al Cruz is the total entertainer expressing passion through song and instrument.
Passion through song and instrument. - Al Cruz!
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