Cruz Martínez

Cruz Martínez (born June 21, 1972) is an American musician and record producer. He is a former member of the Tejano band La Sombra. In 1997, he created the cumbia music group Los Kumbia Kings, with A.B. Quintanilla, after Martínez had invited Quintanilla.[1] In 2007, he created the band Los Super Reyes. He is married to Alicia Villarreal.

Cruz Martínez
Birth nameCruz Martínez
Also known asCK
Born (1972-06-21) June 21, 1972
Chicago, Illinois, United States
OriginCorpus Christi, Texas, United States
GenresCumbia, Tejano, Reggae, Latin pop, R&B, Regional Mexican
Occupation(s)Record producer, songwriter, composer, musician, concert producer
InstrumentsKeyboards
Years active1984–present
LabelsFonovisa (1995–1996)
EMI Latin (1996–2006)
Warner Music Latina (2007–present)
Associated actsA.B. Quintanilla, Selena, Frankie J, DJ Kane, Abel Talamantez, Pee Wee, Alicia Villarreal, La Sombra, Kumbia Kings, Los Super Reyes, Kumbia All Starz
Websitehttp://www.superreyes.tv

Career

Martinez's interest in music began at the age of twelve when he learned to play the piano with the help of one of his uncles. By the age of sixteen, Martínez began producing music and programming computers in the studio for the family band. By age sixteen, Cruz had received his first Grammy nomination. He joined the Tejano band La Sombra. A.B. Quintanilla formed the band Los Kumbia Kings in 1999, which Martínez would join and co-write and co-produce songs.[1] Los Kumbia Kings received a total of twelve Grammy nominations and have set attendance records during performances at several venues. Aside from receiving much success with Los Kumbia Kings, Cruz Martínez also gained notoriety for his keyboard talents in the industry.

In 2004, Martínez produced, arranged, and wrote Alicia Villarreal's latest album, Cuando el Corazon Se Cruza which he received two Latin Grammys for Album of the Year in 2004, several 2005 and 2006 BMI songwriting awards, two Premios Lo Nuestro Awards for Best Regional/Mexican Album and Best Regional/Mexican Song and two Billboard nominations for Album and Song of the Year. As a producer/engineer, Cruz Martínez received two more Latin Grammys in 2006 for his Kumbia Kings live album Kumbia Kings Live. Martínez's latest project is Los Super Reyes. Cruz Martínez y Los Super Reyes have already had their hit single "Muévelo" reach the top of the radio charts in the United States, Spain, Japan, Germany and in Mexico. The group has since enjoyed major chart success and maintains a busy performance schedule in support of their recent record.Recently, Cruz was asked by Television giant TV Azteca / Azteca America to participate as a Judge for the 10th anniversary of the reality show La Academia and to produce the winner's album.

Discography
Albums with La Sombra
  • One of a Kind (1989)
  • The Chi-Town Boys R Back (1989)
  • Good Boys Wear White (1990)
  • Porque Te Quiero (1991)
  • Intocable (1992)
  • Ilusiones (1993)
  • Caliente Dulce Amor (1994)
  • Mas Que Todo (1995)
Albums with Kumbia Kings
Albums with Los Super Reyes

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result
2005 Latin Grammy Awards Best Regional Mexican Song "Na Na Na (Dulce Niña)" (A.B. Quintanilla and Kumbia Kings) (with A.B. Quintanilla and Luigi Giraldo) Nominated
Best Engineered Album Fuego (A.B. Quintanilla and Kumbia Kings) (with Seth Atkins, Javier Garza, and Robert "Bobbo" Gómez III) Nominated
2008 Premio Lo Nuestro Pop Breakout Artist or Group of the Year Cruz Martínez and Los Super Reyes Nominated
Latin Billboard Music Awards Regional Mexican Album of the Year, New Artist El Regreso de los Reyes Nominated
Premios Oye! Popular Field Best New Artist Cruz Martínez and Los Super Reyes Nominated
Popular Field Best Tropical by a Duo/Group or Solo El Regreso de los Reyes Nominated
2009 Premios Oye! Popular Field Best Tropical by a Duo/Group or Solo Cumbia con Soul Nominated

See also

References
  1. "A.B. Quintanilla III's Midas Touch". BMI. January 17, 2011.
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