Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Tim Ruiz is a first-generation Mexican-American bassist, guitarist, producer, and music director. For over two decades, he was a core member of the five-time Grammy-winning Latin group La Mafia, personally earning 4 Grammy Awards and contributing to 9 Grammy-nominated projects before stepping away in 2023 to focus on new creative ventures.

Tim’s career has taken him across a wide spectrum of genres, from Latin pop to jazz fusion. He has performed alongside or collaborated with an array of world-class artists, including Frank Lacy, Kermit Ruffins (Rebirth Brass Band), Chris “Daddy” Dave (D’Angelo, Maxwell, Adele), Mike Moreno, Brandon Lee, Shelley Carrol, Mark Simmons (Al Jarreau, George Duke), Billy Joe Shaver, Flaco Jimenez, Fausto Cuevas (Stevie Wonder, J Lo), Karl Perazzo & Andy Vargas (Santana), and more.

A highlight includes his collaboration with DJ Sun and maestro Marlon Chen conducting Aperio’s Orchestra, where he served as behind-the-scenes music director, primarily performing on bass and also playing guitar on two selections.

Through his work with the non-profit Houston Jazz Collective, Tim curates and manages the Houston Jazz Festival, showcasing top-tier jazz talent from Houston and beyond. He also partners with local venues and restaurants such as Fig & Olive, Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi, Echoes, and Axelrad to bring high-quality live music to diverse audiences, helping to bolster the city’s vibrant music scene.

In addition to performing, Tim works in various recording studios across Houston, collaborating with musicians who have toured and recorded with Jason Mraz, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crow, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Al Jarreau, George Duke, Beyoncé, and Santana — blending talent, creativity, and a love for the craft into every project.