The First Church BAND
The First Church band brings our music alive with rhythm. Let these talented individuals revamp the way you connect to the divine through the spirit of music, and the journey that songs take us through.
Joshua Santa Cruz
Music Director & Drums
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Joshua has maintained his career as a successful musician in and around the Phoenix metro area. Holding a Bachelors’ degree in jazz performance from ASU, he always strives to keep himself versatile in all styles of music ranging from jazz, to country, and even top 40 and beyond. Because of this, he has brought a new light into the music program at First Church UCC Phoenix, and revitalized and revamped the way the congregation connects to the divine through the spirit of music, and the journey that songs take us through. Joshua maintains a busy schedule between directing the music at Church, teaching private music lessons, as well as “gigging” around the valley on any given weekend.
Charles Smith
Piano
Charles is a dedicated pianist and jazz musician. Completing studies at Arizona State University in 2017, he soon after experienced a demand for the musical, managerial and inter-personal skills he had cultivated there. Answering the call to pass on his knowledge, Charlie teaches his own private students and is a substitute teacher in high school and middle school classrooms. (He’s learned that classroom management for teens is not a skill that one walks away with from a jazz-performance degree!).
In his free time, Charlie helps with “Friendly Fridays” - a weekly activities program working with people diagnosed with autism and catastrophic head injuries. This program is held at First Place, a transitional housing facility for people with disabilities.
Always looking for ways to bring music to the community, Charlie stays busy as a freelancer in Phoenix and across the valley. His favorite engagements are at the Nash, Arizona’s premier jazz venue. As a special guest artist, he’s shared the bandstand with Joel Frahm, Cyrille Aimée, Darcy James Argue, Ben Wendell and Jeremy Pelt.
Enrique Lara
Guitar
Enrique has been playing guitar since the age of 11. He later graduated from ASU with a degree in Jazz Studies through the jazz guitar studio. Currently, he works with cover and variety bands playing at bars, private events, and everything in between.
Bailey Zick
Bass
After earning a music degree at ASU, multi-instrumentalist Bailey Zick has become a fixture in the valley music scene. His technical ability and intuitive approach has wowed audiences across the southwest and abroad. Known for his versatility, he has shared the stage with artists such as Chauncey Jones, Lewis Nash, Alex Oliverio, Combo Chimbita, Sunn Trio and is a full time member of psychedelic Cumbia band "Los Esplifs".