Bio

"The little lady with the big voice" is how people would describe singer/songwriter TRACY CRUZ after hearing her live. For over 15 years she has captured the hearts and ears of many through her powerful voice, emotional stage presence, and unique soulful music. She has performed solo and with her band "Smooth Session" at numerous events such as the 102.9 FM KBLX Soul Music Festival (Verizon Stage), Maxwell's Lounge, Straits Restaurant, Santana Row, San Jose Juneteenth Festival, San Francisco Juneteenth Festival, Ninhonmachi Street Festival, Berryessa Art & Wine Festival,Temple Bar, Agenda Lounge, Hotel Valencia, The Oasis, Macla Theatre, Johnny Vs, Fanny and Alexanders, Britannia Arms, South 1st Billiards, Toons Nite Club, 12 Galaxies, and many more. TRACY has performed as a background vocalist for one of her strong musical influences, soul singer Ledisi (Verve/Universal) at a performance at Café Du Nord in San Francisco, CA in 2002. She has opened up for Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas at the 4th Annual Asian Heritage Festival in San Francisco (5/08). TRACY has released a 4-song EP entitled "ILLUMINATE LOVE" (April 2005), which was all produced by Allen "Hyperactive" Ross. Her song "For You" featured Kanetic Source, former emcee of Grammy Award winning hip hop/latin group Ozomatli. She was a special guest vocalist for "World Musikahan with Ryan Cayabyab" show which was shown nationally and globally on ABC-CBN television network. She has shared the stage with Martin Luther, Crown City Rockers, the Fingerbangerz Crew, Breakestra, Pep Love, Living Legends, and Zion I. She is featured as a guest vocalist on Esoin's (hip hop artist) album "Overdue Books" and Lil' Lala's (gospel hip hop artist) album "Life After Death: My Life, My Story". She has been a background vocalist for neo-soul artist Adesha and the band Seven. TRACY has also been musically active within her school and community. During her attendance at San Jose State University, she was a soloist for the San Jose State Gospel Ensemble as well as the Small Jazz Ensemble. She has also been a hip hop radio dj for 90.5 FM KSJS (San Jose State University's radio station) for two years and was an intern for Quannum Projects. She was also a member of hip hop/creative arts organizations such as 5th Element, Hip Hop Congress, and Lyrical Discipline. In the summer of 2005, she had the privilege of being a vocal instructor for the Children's Musical Theatre of San Jose's COPA (Conservatory of the Performing Arts). She has also taught elementary music theory at various schools in San Jose, CA as well private vocal lessons for Darrell Leffler's Academy of Music in Milpitas, CA. She is a member of the L.I.V.E. (Love Inspirational Voices of Emmanuel) Choir at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She has released her full length debut solo album, "Feel'osophy" on September 23, 2008 and is now available for purchase at www.tracycruz.com.