Tracy Cruz: Multi-award-winning R&B & Soul artist

Born in Quezon City on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, Tracy Cruz is a Bay Area-based, award-winning musical artist, songwriter, and vocal coach whose spirit-filled, candied mezzo-soprano vocals captivate and heal. A full-time performer and creative force, she has received over 40 prestigious music awards, including the 2022 Intercontinental Music Awards for Best of North America in the R&B genre, the 2022 Josie Music Award for Vocalist of the Year in R&B/Soul, the 2022 One Earth Award GOLD for Best Jazz Single, the 2021 InterContinental Music Award for Best of North America in R&B, the 2020 Gold International Singer Songwriters Association Award for Female Emerging Artist of the Year, the World Songwriter Award for Best R&B Song, the 2020 National Black Music Award for Best Recorded Song, and the 2020 Bay Area Black Music Award for Best Female Neo Soul Performer. Her body of work has earned her multiple nominations, including seven Hollywood Music in Media Awards and five SoulTracks.com Readers’ Choice Awards.

Tracy’s illustrative and sophisticated sound is an intricate dance of sultry, breathy phrasing and piercingly clear, emotionally rich melodies. Her music flows like velvet, laced with tales of hope, love, self-reflection, and beauty—each song an anthem of discovery and affirmation. Deeply rooted in soul yet elevated by refined melodic sensibilities, her sound fuses Neo Soul, Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Filipino musical elements. With her band, she creates a layered, soul-soothing sonic palette filled with textured percussion, grooving bass lines, rhythmic guitar, horns, pitched chimes, and harp-like flourishes—both original and comforting.

With over 17 years in the music industry, Tracy has performed to sold-out audiences at prestigious venues such as SF Jazz and Yoshi’s and shared the stage or opened for legendary artists such as Kenny Lattimore, Pete Escovedo, Miki Howard, Keke Wyatt, Sy Smith, Moonchild, Raheem DeVaughn, Wes Felton, Derrick Hodge, Dee Dee Simon, and Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas. She has graced iconic stages and events including Blue Note Napa, Chase Center, Feinstein’s at the Nikko, Harlow’s, Enchant, Undiscovered, Tempe Center for the Arts, Bump City Winery, San Jose Jazz Festival, San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, Rockwood Music Hall, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and cultural celebrations like Filipino Heritage Night with the San Francisco Giants and Juneteenth festivals across San Jose, Vallejo, Berkeley, and San Francisco.

As Chapter Governor of the San Francisco Chapter of the Recording Academy® and a voting member, Tracy is deeply committed to her music community through mentorship, advocacy, and initiatives supporting diversity, inclusion, and music education. For more than 15 years, she has nurtured young artists through her Tracy Cruz Vocal Studio, teaching the art of singing, songwriting, arranging, performing, and authentic creative expression. She encourages students to stay grounded in their dreams and to fully embrace their musical worlds with confidence and joy. Through her work with GRAMMY U, she connects aspiring college musicians with the industry’s brightest minds, providing them with the tools and guidance needed to launch impactful careers. Tracy has also collaborated with GRAMMY® Award winner Kanetic Source and GRAMMY®-nominated producer Brandon Williams.

Her upcoming album, Sun After The Reign, is currently in development, promising to deliver the heartfelt, uplifting sound her audience has come to love. Tracy Cruz continues to create relevant, touching music that soothes the soul and uplifts the heart, making her ballads and upbeat love songs a timeless soundtrack for any season of life.

“I absolutely love connecting with the audience from the stage and pouring my heart out. The stage is my home and the audience are my special guests. There is nothing like seeing your audience sing to your lyrics, smile, or dance with joy. These are very special moments I hold dear.” – Tracy Cruz