Tomás Cruz was born in Havana, Cuba on October 11, 1974. At an early age, he moved to the province of Pinar del Río, where he studied at the Vocational School of Arts (Escuela Vocacional de Artes) and graduated from elementary level in percussion with complementary studies in piano.
 He then continued his studies in Havana at the National School of Arts (Escuela Nacional de Artes), where he studied trombone, music history and vocals and took various percussion classes with José Luis Quintana (Changuito).
 In 1993, he graduated in percussion and percussion teaching.
 His first working experience as a show percussionist was at the cabaret Parisienne of the Hotel Nacional in Cuba. Three years later, he started playing with the popular Cuban band Paulito FG y su Elite, with whom he performed at concerts in Paris, London and other European cities. With this band, he arrived in the United States where he started working in television programs for Univisión and performed with stars such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, Oscar d' León, Tito Nieve, Tito Puente and Celia Cruz among others. He continued to work with Celia Cruz at several events in Miami and New York. During these occasions, he met important producers such as Rafi Mercado, with whom he played at concerts in Puerto Rico together with Olga Tañón, Mike Stewart, Eddie Palmieri, Domingo Quiñones, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Raúl Paz among others.
   He then decided to move to Miami, where he started to work with Willy Chirino and played at numerous Jazz Festivals with Israel López Cachao, Néstor Torres, Dave Valentín, Patato Valdez and world renowned percussionist Giovanni Hidalgo.
   He has played in many recordings in Cuba as well as in Miami, among others with Paulito FG y su Elite, Juan Formell, Pablo Milanés, Issac Delgado, Manolín el Médico de la Salsa, Alejandro Sanz, Los Trío and Tropicana All Stars featuring Generoso Jiménez, the trombonist for Benny Moré.
   In 2001, he appeared as a percussionist in the music documentary La Cuba Mía directed by Oscar Gomez featuring Celia Cruz and guest artists Donato Poveda, Willy Chirino etc.
   In March 2004, he published three interactive DVDs and books for percussion technique, The Tomás Cruz Conga Method I, II and III with Mel Bay.  See our Publications page for more information and a link to purchase.
   In April 2004, he joined Arturo Sandoval's band as a percussionist.
 "Tomasito", as endearingly loved and known, has been part to three Grammy winning CD's with Alejandro Sanz, Willy Chirino and Arturo Sandoval.
 As amazing as his career appears, Tomas Cruz presents himself today as "Tomasito Cruz & Cuban Timba All Stars”, a brainchild of Tomas Cruz, the re-inventor of the way the congas and timba are played.
 Tomas Cruz & Cuban Timba All Stars is launching a career under the prestigious Anil Music Label. The CD release and world tour is scheduled for 2008 -2009. Full of fusion, experience and amazing talents, the Cuban Timba All Stars is the most exciting band to tour the United States. This band makes dance floors rock and tremble with the music of the tropics. It is impossible to experience them live without being consumed by the electrifying rhythmic energy moving with your body.
 We are introducing “Timba” to the World.