Karla Cruz writes, performs, mixes and produces music with lush vocals, intelligent yet soulful writing, and a practiced, but natural ability with a broad range of instruments and styles. Her mixture of bluesy Rock and heart-felt melancholic ballads are a welcome addition to any collection. Because of her dedication to her art, and her penchant for independent production, Karla has been able to stick to her unique and personal vision, and keep it very accessible. Karla began playing music when she was old enough to pack an instrument. She excelled in music through-out high school and college, where she was classically trained on violin. During this period, Karla learned on a lot of instruments, from guitars to keyboards, percussion to kazoo, if that's what the music needed. She began singing after a chance meeting with a jazz group that inspired her to audition. She got the gig, and the “rest is history”. Karla has honed her own style of Pop/Rock with a bluesy flavor that's hard not to like. Though it's hard to come by any cut-and-paste descriptions of Karla's style, some names that reappear when describing Karla’s style are Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders, and Karen Carpenter. Hailing from a small town south of Seattle, Karla has been touring and traveling, but recently returned to the Seattle area. Karla’s first CD, “Too Long Away”, was released in 1992 to critical acclaim. Seattle’s premier Rock critic, Patrick McDonald of “The Seattle Times” said of Karla, “Seattle has a new rock singer to celebrate”. It also garnered: 1. A Billboard Songwriting Award 2. Three NAMA (Northwest Area Musician Association) Award Nominations: Best New Artist, Best Adult Contemporary Album, Best Rock Vocal 3. An exhibition spot in the Wing Luke Museum Exhibit: A Bridge Home; Music in the Lives of Asian-Pacific Islanders. 4. “Too Long Away” is being invited to appear on a compilation CD marketed to radio and labels. 5. “Too Long Away” held the NO. 1 spot on MP3 Songs Top Unsigned Artists Chart for 3 weeks! on the UK’s MP3.com 6. “Help Me” a track off TLA, hit the Top 5 rotation at Maddhouz Radio” 7, “Help Me”, in 2008, becomes a SOUNDCLICK.net #1 Song. Despite the quality and acclaim of her first effort, “Too Long Away” did not go on to receive the attention that it deserved. This is a gem of an album, and a great add to any collection. After it’s release, Karla was back at doing what she does best, writing and performing her music, and any thought of time spent marketing or promoting was soon replaced with new musical projects. Give her a listen, and if you can dig her stuff, buy a song, a CD, or just give her a shout! Karla released her second CD, “Retread”, in 2007. It is a solid, smart collection, and is a great indicator that Karla is here to stay. You will not find “filler” on Karla’s CD’s…They are all keepers. Word is that she is working hard on a number of songs that she has been honing over a period of years, and as she finally has some time for final mixing and production, it looks as if we will see a number of releases in the near future. I, for one am looking forward… jj