This program is the first of three concerts in the “History of Cuban Music” series, curated, arranged, and performed by Hugo Cruz. All three concerts will combine musical performances, talks, and video and film excerpts. The series will also bring well-known Cuban diasporic musicians to Pittsburgh to collaborate with local musicians and participate in robust performances. The series showcases the history and cultural significance of Cuban music from its pre-colonial African roots, to its Spanish influence, through its explosion into western pop culture. The first concert explores music that came to Cuba from Africa, including the important influence on the ethnic African identities Arará, Yoruba, and Congo.

Hugo Alexander Cruz Machado (he/him) is a Cuban-born, award winning, international drummer and composer who has performed in South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Mexico, Chile, Venezuela, and the United States. Hugo is the leader of the group Caminos, who have made appearances at the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Music Hall Oakland, City of Asylum, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Con Alma, First Night Pittsburgh 2020, and Fábrica de Artes in Havana, Cuba, among others. While a resident of Cuba, Hugo toured regularly with Síntesis, a leading Afro Cuban rock-fusion group. Hugo has performed in Havana’s largest jazz festival, Jazz Plaza, with acclaimed artists Dave Weckl and Victor Goines.  He is a graduate of the Instituto Superior de Artes, the leading arts university of Cuba, and in 2014, won the award as the “best drummer” at the international Festival del Tambor Guillermo Barreto in Memoriam in Havana, Cuba. In February 2022, Hugo Cruz and Caminos released an original album, Punto de Partida, featuring notable musicians from Cuba and the U.S. Hugo hosts a monthly concert series at Kingfly Spirits called "The Voice of Drums," featuring Pittsburgh-based musicians and celebrating diverse musical genres.

A History of Cuban Music: From Africa to Cuba with Hugo Cruz & Caminos