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Edgar Cruz

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Edgar Cruz is an independent classical and fingerstyle guitarist from Oklahoma City. Cruz has recorded 19 CDs in styles ranging from classical to flamenco to pop to jazz. Cruz is perhaps best known for his fingerstyle arrangement of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody".[citation needed] Cruz was featured in the 2004 documentary entitled Spanish Blood: The Guitar of Edgar Cruz produced by OETA (Oklahoma's PBS affiliate).[1] He performs hundreds of times a year[2] and has performed in 43 states and in Mexico, Peru, France, England, and Italy.[3]

Early life

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Edgar Michael Cruz[4] was born in Oklahoma City[5] to Manuel Cruz II and Socorro Cruz.[6] He has five siblings, including his brother Mark Anthony Cruz[7] who is also a musician.[6] He began playing guitar in 1976[8] when his father, Manuel Cruz II,[9] a mariachi musician, taught him how to play.[10] Manuel was from Matahuala, Mexico, and learned guitar from Armando Castenada of San Antonio, Texas.[6] Manuel immigrated from Mexico to Oklahoma City in 1947.[11] Edgar Cruz studied classical guitar at Oklahoma City University,[10][1] graduating in 1986.[5] He also attended Oklahoma City Community College, earning an associate's degree in drafting.[12] Manuel, Mark, and Edgar have toured together as the Cruz Family Trio.[13] He made early cassette recordings The Best of Edgar Cruz Vol. I-IV in the 1980s,[14] prior to releasing Throw Another Tape on the Fire as a compact disc.[15]

Discography

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  • Throw Another Tape on the Fire (1989)[15][16]
  • Classical Demands (1990)[17]
  • Those Were The Days (1992)[13]
  • Opening Night (1994)[18]
  • The Acoustic Rock Transcriptions of Edgar Cruz (1996)[19]
  • Reminiscence (1997)[19]
  • Timeless (2000)
  • Opening Night 2 (2002)
  • The Cruz Trio In Concert (2003)
  • Guitarras de Amor (2003)
  • The Essence of Mexico (2003)
  • Guitarras De Fuego (2005)[18]
  • Sweet Georgia Blue (2005)
  • Spanish Blood (2005)[18]
  • Guitarras de Baile (2006)
  • Pieces of Edgar (2007)
  • Oklahoma Guitar (2011)[8]
  • Cruzin the Beatles (2014)
  • Yesterday Tripper (2018)

References

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  1. ^ a b Soldan, Peggy (6 May 2004). "Gallery gives inside look at Edgar Cruz". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  2. ^ Brown, Rick (20 January 2011). "Classic sound". Kearney Hub. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  3. ^ Bartlett, Jean (14 January 2009). "Message of strings with guitarists Edgar Cruz and Antsy McCain". Pacifica Tribune. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  4. ^ "Fiesta enjoyed". The Daily Oklahoman. 18 October 1983. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Solo guitarist Edgar Cruz appearing Saturday at Sanchez Concert Hall". Pacifica Tribune. 13 August 2003. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Davis, Sandi (28 February 2003). "Performers shared a dedication, lifelong love of music". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  7. ^ Carter, Richard (1 November 2013). "Cruz control guitarist multi-faceted". Wichita Falls Times Record News. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  8. ^ a b Rogers, Rick (11 September 2011). "Edgar Cruz offers silver anniversary recital". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  9. ^ Brandenburg, John (14 September 1981). "Hispanic week begins with a concert". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  10. ^ a b Brockman, Anne (19 September 2007). "Encore encore". Tulsa World. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  11. ^ Hicks, Megan (14 December 1986). "Cruz". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  12. ^ Hicks, Megan (14 December 1986). "Guitar playing family drives on Cruz-control". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  13. ^ a b "Cruzing into the holidays". The Yukon Weekly. 14 December 1994. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  14. ^ Davis, Chuck (17 December 1989). "City guitarist showcases talents on cassettes". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  15. ^ a b "30 years after his first CD, Edgar Cruz is still making his guitars do whatever he wants them to". KFOR. 18 September 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Edgar Cruz". The Daily Oklahoman. 23 December 1988. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  17. ^ Davis, Chuck (13 January 1991). "Edgar Cruz Classical Demands". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  18. ^ a b c "Guitarist to perform two jazz lab concerts". The Daily Oklahoman. 5 May 2007. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  19. ^ a b Watts, James (16 November 2002). "Bartlesville symphony to host guitarist". Tulsa World. Retrieved 8 February 2024.


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