José Cruzata is a Cuban-American saxophonist based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from Holguín, Cuba, he grew up in a musical family, surrounded by the sounds of Afro-Cuban styles like Tumba Francesa, Rumba, Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Timba, Son, and Changüí. After studying at the National School of Art in Havana, he began performing and touring with several prominent Cuban jazz and salsa bands, and flamenco dancer Joaquín Cortés.

Since moving to NYC in 2014, he has been a sought-after musician, playing at many of the city’s jazz clubs. His own quintet “CARAJILLO” performs José’s original compositions and classic standards, blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with African-American music into a fresh and exciting sound. José is also the saxophonist and one of the composers of ‘I Didn’t Come to Stay’ for Afro-Brazilian tap dance company Music From The Sole, and has performed with them at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Guggenheim Museum and Lincoln Center.

He is currently performing and recording with Akokan, an Afro-Cuban big band, across the US

José Carlos Cruzata Revé/soprano and tenor sax, suona. Román Filiú/alto sax. Raúl Reyes/bass. Brandon “Buz” Donald/drums. Mauricio Herrera/percussion

PROGRAM

GET IT DONE
7 SURQUITOS
CON UNA LATA Y UN PALO
TILLING THE LAND
SEEDS ROOTING THE GROUND 
ORUN A ELEGUA
EL SALTO DEL GUAYABO

@jccruzata