Fonzi Cruz the man of mystery
This is one of the better salsa tapes I have in my collection. That alone is not a big achievement considering that I only have one salsa record and a couple of tapes. Fonzi is definitely a major salsero, a star in a musical genre of a limited range.
A musician friend gave me this tape. He wasn’t compelled by the music either. He knows better than that. It was the gentle image of Fonzi draping over his mama’s knees that made him purchase this little gem for me.
The internet is curiously silent about Fonzi Cruz. The tape sleeve also shares very little information. I subjected it to the waterboarding technique and it’s still as silent as a mute monk. There is one lead I did not explore. The tape is distributed by Hispana Import & Export so there you go amateur detectives. Bring me more information about this unique artist.
I love la chica sitting on the conga drum. Skin to skin. So much hair on her head. Those were the days. Caliente! She is pretty fine looking. Fonzi is not bad himself. A sharp dresser. He wishes she’d spread her knees so he could beat his drum.
About a year after I posted this cover I received a message from Carlos of Netherlands. It seems that the Dutch rains have not put out Carlos’ love of salsa. Here is the entire email. Gracias Carlos.
Dear person,
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> I’m Carlos and I live in the Netherlands. I’m originally from Spain
> and as a true salsalover should be, I have collected a lot of salsa
> records for about 17 years.
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> I’ts very suprising that you wrote about Fonzi Cruz, a very underrated
> and for many latinos unfamous salsa vocalist. I don’t know him so good
> either, but I think recordings he made are very difficult to get.
> Well, I’m lucky to have a CD record of a salsa band called Clase 90
> (J&N Records), in wich Fonzi sings together with Tito Gonzalez. The
> musical director of Clase 90 was the famous Martin Arroyo. The
> recording is from 1991. I’ts tipically the salsa romantica from begin
> 90’s. This record sounds very good and the tracks are very danceable.
> On that record I realized that Fonzi Cruz is a very good vocalist. I
> think that Fonzi Cruz was very popular at that time.
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> I found also another a strange LP record from 1989 called Fonzi Cruz y
> su Orquesta Sensacion, in wich he participates with the famous N.Y.
> based pianist Javier Vazquez (this pianist has worked with many Fania
> musicians). This vynil was manufactured in Peru (Victoria Records).
> That’s funny, so I suppose some Peruvian salseros know about him to.
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> Here you see, that you are not the only how knows something about
> Fonzi Cruz.
By HOMMY CRUZ February 17, 2010 - 6:25 pm
I am very pleased that the both of you have written about my father, Fonzi Cruz. I would like to let you know that he is in good health and doing very well. He is still singing but has chosen to sing for the Lord. If you would like to contact me I can send you another album which he did with my brother, Charlie Cruz. Charlie is also a recording artist (Sony) with eight albums of his own. His albums have been produced by the great Sergio George,Cuto Soto and many more. He has had many top ten hits such as: “Amarte es un Problema,” “Un Chin Chin,”Grita Conmigo”, “Deja la que Baile”, and his lates “Tu me Confundes”,who reached number 1 on the LATIN BILLBOARD an is nominated for song of the year for PREMIO LOS NUESTRO AWARDS… John I agree with you my father is a talent singer…I remember him being very popular in the NY tri state area, sharing the stage from bands such as El Gran Combo to Marc Anthony,when Marc released his first salsa album otra nota. I must confess the album cover is not the best but the album those have some great songs…my favorite from this album Amor que Mata which allowed my father to demonstrate his range…Once again thanx for your opinions..GOD BLES!!!
By HOMMY CRUZ February 17, 2010 - 6:29 pm
CORRECTION…I WAS REFERRING TO CARLOS NOT JOHN…(SO SORRY)
By will montanez June 30, 2010 - 6:43 pm
Hommy when will your brother do something with your dad. Charlie do a feature with your dad you owe him one. I recall your dad practicing in mary street with the ruiz family Luis and the gang in Paterson
By Fernando December 4, 2010 - 10:46 am
Hello Hommy,
I still get very much excited from listening “sombra negra” and the rest of the tracks in the album your father recorded with Javier Vasquez–it’s a classic. Given the little information out there, I get confused as to your father’s nationality, as he sounds Boricua and Colombian at the same time. Are there plans to reissue his recordings in Cd format?
Thank you and please greet your father for me. Where can I go see him sing?
Fernando
By KELVIN December 22, 2010 - 9:45 am
QUIERO DESCARGAR ESTE ALBUM? DONDE LO DESCARGO??? PONGAN EL LINK PLISSSSSSSSSSS
By Hommy Cruz July 18, 2011 - 8:42 am
It’s been more than a year or so that I have checked this site,but am glad that you guys have inquired about my father. To answer your question Will I have no idea. That’s something I will bring up with Charlie. Fernando my dad is Puerto Rican born and raised in el barrio de El Duque, naguabo. We have not thought about reissuing his recordings. That’s something that we will have to consider being that unfortunetly am under the impressions he no longer has the masters of the recordings. Kelvin am going to look into to it.. Thanks again for your interested. You can befriend him on Facebook under Fonsi Cruz. God Bless.
By Brian Anthony November 9, 2012 - 6:00 am
Hello Hommy! I really like your fathers Music! You def. need to get the recording remastered and put on iTunes. That’s alot of money you guys are leaving on the table that you guys deserve for your father’s talents!
I’m a Salsa Dance Instructor, I was out social dancing when I heard a song off his Album La Sensacion called La Cita, I got cold chills! Amazing music, the whole album is really good. If you know a link where we can purchase the music please post it… Brian
By DJ BRIAN CHO September 2, 2017 - 5:55 pm
Hi! Im a SALSA DJ from Quito, Ecuador. I just found this incredible album “Fonzi y su Orquesta Sensación” from 1987 and I start making some research about this man. It is awesome to know the great Charlie Cruz is Fonzi’s son. Such great talent! I do agree with latest comments about uploading Fonzi’s classics on iTunes. Please, accept my friend request on Facebook, and thank you for providing such valuable information.
Best Regards,
Brian Cho
Quito, Ecuador.
By Baba Zanetti October 5, 2018 - 5:50 am
Brian, sorry your comment was stuck in the cue for a year!