About REnée

Bassist Renée Cruz has performed and recorded with several of Jazz music’s most legendary icons, artists including Dr. Billy Taylor, Harry Whitaker, Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Joe Wilder, Gerald Wilson, Ernestine Anderson, and Benny Golson.

Cuban-American bassist Renée Cruz was born and raised in Miami, FL.  She moved to New York City in January of 2001 to study with her musical heroes.  Since then, she's had the honor of studying with bass legends Sir Ron Carter, Buster Williams, Homer Mensch and Reggie Workman.  She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from New School University for Jazz & Contemporary Music in 2004 and her Masters of Music from The Juilliard School in 2007.

During her time at New School, she won the Sisters in Jazz Collegiate Competition of International Association of Jazz Educators.  In the interest of spreading awareness for women's empowerment, she performed and toured with the group.  She also received the Beacons in Jazz Music Award for Outstanding Musicianship from the New School and was featured in an honors performance with saxophonist Joe Lovano. 

In 2005, she was accepted into the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead performing composers residency, where she worked with Curtis Fuller and Kenny Barron.  She was hired by Dr. Billy Taylor to perform at The Kennedy Center as part of an educational initiative called Jazz for Young People.  

In the fall of 2005, Ms. Cruz was awarded a full scholarship to the Juilliard Jazz program.  She holds the distinction of being the first woman bassist in the program.  While attending Juilliard, Renée performed and worked with many outstanding jazz musicians, including Jimmy Heath, Hank Jones, Frank Wess, Joe Wilder, Gerald Wilson, Ernestine Anderson and recorded with Benny Golson.  She earned her Masters of Music Degree in Jazz Studies from The Juilliard School in 2007.  

After graduating from The Juilliard School, Renée was notably hired by legendary pianist and composer Harry Whitaker (Roberta Flack, Roy Ayers) as part of his trio and group 'Moment to Moment', performing weekly at world famous and innovative, musician owned & run Smalls Jazz Club, among other iconic NYC venues. 

Renée has performed at numerous international festivals around the world in concert halls and jazz clubs, including Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club, The Apollo Theater, The Jazz Standard, Nublu, Birdland with Joe Lovano, International Jazz Festival of Costa Rica, Vitoría Spain Jazz Fest, Aiken Jazz Festival, International Jazz Festival of Nicaragua, White Plains Jazz Festival and Cancún Music Festival, among others.