Jack Cruz blew like a hurricane into New Orleans in the summer of 1975 and quickly established himself within the city’s music scene, playing bass behind such New Orleans luminaries as Butch Mudbone, Mighty Sam McClain, James Booker and Wayne Bennett among others before teaming up as a trio in 1986 with Wolfman and Wilbert “Junkyard Dog” Arnold.
The trio had a regular weekend gig at the legendary Dorothy’s Medallion
on Orleans Avenue. Three hour long sets quickly became the norm, setting the
stage for what has since become a long-held Roadmaster reputation of musical
endurance with shows that last through the night into the dawn.
Twenty-one years later Cruz remains as the last original Roadmaster, and with
Wolfman, has come to virtually define contemporary New Orleans blues, soul and
funk ~ bringing the deep and low down to their sound.
Over the years, with Cruz on bass, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and
the Roadmasters have performed for presidents, toured the world more times than
they can count and managed to live to tell about it.......and they’re still
tellin’, still playin’ with an enthusiasm and vegence that shows what
a being a true Roadmaster is all about!
Never one to sit still, when Cruz is not on stage performing or in the studio
as a Roadmaster, he is busy writing new songs, encouraging new talent and working
with other groups such as the Wild Tchoupitoulas and the New Orleans Rhythm
Conspiracy, including producing the group’s 2006 debut CD, “Dancin’
Ground”.
http://www.myspace.com/neworleansrhythmconspiracy