Sergio Cruz

Musicians do not choose one another; they recognize each other. Ricardo Izquierdo and Sergio Gruz know each other and have recognized each other. This duo's project, Raices en Acuerdo, celebrates their roots.

The Cuban-born saxophonist and the Argentine-born pianist draw upon their respective musical roots.

Whether it is "Drume negrita", that Cuban nursery rhyme, "Llora", "Cartas de amor que se queman", or "La trunca norte" immortalized by Mercedes Sosa—those Cuban songs bathed in sweet nostalgia that sing of the joys and disillusionments of love and pierce the heart—or whether it is "Soledad", that nocturnal piece bathed in the dark light of melancholy by tango master Astor Piazzolla, Ricardo Izquierdo and Sergio Gruz have chosen the spirit rather than the letter for their reinterpretations.

This quicksilver duo possesses the force of self-evidence. Listening, shared breathing, collective stimulation—there is a shared understanding, a great complicity, and even a fusion of intentions and gestures that brings the music to its incandescent peaks.

Franck Medoni (Jazz Magazine)