Music Al Fresco: There’s A New Sound in Town

· 3 min read
Music Al Fresco: There’s A New Sound in Town

Sarah Bass Photos

Tracy Cruz and Colin Hogan in Oakland’s Franklin Square.

Tracy Cruz
AMP Lunch and Listen
Franklin Square
2204 Broadway Ave.
Oakland
May 15, 2024

The midday sun was bright and strong, but thankfully Franklin Square in Uptown Oakland was well shaded, with two large picnic tables, a half dozen smaller metal ones, and a woman in a red dress crooning into a microphone. A man jangled keys on a color-matched keyboard behind her.

This was AMP Lunch and Listen, a new series of free weekly lunch hour concerts presented by Oakland Central as part of its Oakland Works Wednesdays, a program looking to revitalize downtown with arts and commerce.

Though I’ve passed through many a time before, like to visit Edith’s, I was unfamiliar with the official name of the square. Located at the intersection of Broadway, 22nd, Grand, and Franklin (yes, I know that’s too many streets; look at the map though), Franklin Square is small but mighty, boasting a full line of small but bustling restaurants. On this afternoon, I thought I was showing up to see Tapper Dan, but was instead was greeted by the vocal stylings of Tracy Cruz.

Cruz, an R&B and soul singer-songwriter, was backed by keyboardist Colin Hogan and performed a combination of original songs and covers. They were midway through Michael Jackson’s ​“Can’t Help It” when I walked up to find a seat, about 10 minutes after noon. Hers is a soft but strong voice, jazzy but no jazz singer and certainly no blues to be heard here: Cruz was happy, cheerful, and friendly to the small crowd throughout her set. She introduced Hogan of the Hogan Brothers, an above average family band, as well as her friend Regina, seated just a few feet away eating lunch, there in support.

Two of her original songs covered ground from early in the days of the pandemic: ​“Keep Our Soul Alive” and ​“Find A Way,” both touching on the difficulties of isolation for creatives and the need to keep pushing forward and maintain a positive mindset. As the set wore on, her lofty voice floated above our heads and into the streets. When Hogan introduced strings to his arrangement, ​“Oh snap the strings! Gotta class it up a little,” they then melted into ​“I can’t do what you do”’s to each other before launching into the song.

The line for Boba Binge remained out the door, and as Cruz noted, everyone’s food looked good. I was even gifted a boba beverage (but like, without actual boba in it??) by the friendly bright-haired queers at the table next to me before they walked away, leaving the rest of us as Cruz intro’d her next number.

Is it tea? Yes. It is boba? No. Was it good? Enough.

That song was a personal favorite of hers — but one she can’t sing around her kids. ​“And they’re not here, so….”

“Pony by Genuine!” a voice called out.

”Is that a request?” Cruz responded. But whether or not it was (it was), she began with ay different sound and feeling, if similar content.

”That’s the time I feel like making love — that’s right — to you.” Her voice soared, microphone clasped tight, and carried me blocks away.

Proof of purchase: the Halal Guys were doing steady business as well.