DESCRIPTION:
JOSE MARCOS CREGO TAMAYO, Pianist. Havana, Cuba July 12, 1978. Marcos started his initial music studies in the Conservatory of Music Manuel Saumell, in his native city when he was just five years old. Since he was a child, Marcos followed in the footsteps of his father, the great trumpet player Jose Miguel Crego “El Greco”, playing piano and singing on a few records. This paved the way and gave him the inspiration to participate in various musical groups with his classmates. He then attended and graduated from high school at Amadeo Roldán Music School.

After graduation, Marcos’ career took off and he performed with many famous musicians, including but not limited to Los Dan, Talismán, ICRT Orchestra, Top Secret with his father, as well as Klimax, Gardi’s band, Francisco Cespedes, The Arango Brothers, and Afrocuban All Stars. Marcos has also played in many jazz festivals including Pop Kom, Curaçao Heineken Jazz Festival, Jazz Plaza Festival, Benny More Festival, Fiesta del Tambor, Blues Festival, Jazz Fandango Festival, and Pori Jazz Festival.

When he was 21, he produced his first album named Mi Musica, this being start of his career as a musical producer. He also collaborated as a pianist and keyboard player in various albums, such as Top Secret’s volm.1, Klimax’s "Oye como va", “Piloto & Friends”, “Nadie se parece a ti”, Francisco Céspedes’ “Autorretrato" , Hermanos Arango’s "Alafia", Hector Valentin’s "Homenaje a los grandes del son" and many more.

In January 2012, Marcos received two Grammy Nominations as he performed on Edwin Bonilla’s album “Homenaje a los Rumberos” under Sonic Projects Records. Marcos currently resides in Phoenix and is the piano instructor for the New School for the Arts and Academics in Tempe, AZ.