[citation needed] At the age of seven, Cruz was given his first musical instrument, the cavaquinho, by his father (Arlindão), a friend and partner of Candeia with whom he had founded the Mensageiros do Samba group.

About that time he started working professionally as a musician, on rodas de samba with various artists, especially Candeia who he considers to be his musical godfather.

[citation needed] Arlindo Cruz has over 450 songs recorded by various artists, including Zeca Pagodinho, Maria Rita and Beth Carvalho.

one of the most prolific banjo players to have ever dwelled in the samba scene, alongside Almir Guineto, with a great number of studio recordings for various artists, standing as a distinguished instrumentalist.

It occurred when the musician was preparing himself to travel with his son to Osasco, São Paulo, as part of the project "Pagode 2 Arlindos".