JZ Music Festival
I sat down to talk with Theo over Crazy Iced Teas and beers at Mesa Manifesto. It was an early happy hour for me as I waited for the man to arrive. Our interview was delayed by the bane of many a foreigner’s existence here in Shanghai – a visit to the Pudong visa office gone long. Add to that a short-lived thunderstorm/downpour that brings traffic to a whimper and I’m on my second Iced Tea when an apologetic Theo arrives. After ordering a Hoegaarden and settling down, he gave me an idea of what it’s like to live for music, thoughts on the jazz scene in Shanghai and the music he’s played and written.
Sound Blue: Friday Night Jazz
Friday night, 9:25 pm. I'm ready to be blown away by Sound Blue, the new jazz club on Sinan Lu. The moment I walk in, I'm struck by how small the space is. Another few steps in and I'm relieved by the tall ceilings. Intimate yet not claustrophobic. The interior is simple: exposed brick and mahogany furnishings with framed black and whites of jazz greats on the walls – this bar is dedicated to the music. The lighting is bright enough for guests to see their knees, not dark enough to be a cop-a-feel date place. In one word, classy.
"In The Tradition" Album Review
Theo Croker's In the Tradition ends with a Teddy Wilson gem, " Little Things That Mean So Much." In two minutes of beauty, with just piano backing and a sound that's all his own, the young trumpeter pays tribute to the ageless jazz master, Doc Cheatham. The entire album honors Cheatham and he would have loved this group - three youthful players, Croker, Sullivan Fortner on piano, bassist Joe Sanders plus the young-at-heart Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums. The tunes are familiar, the tradition is respected, and yet the players bring with them their own musical background.
In The Tradition Review: Ken Dryden
Theo Croker is a sharp young trumpeter who made his debut recording in 2006, followed by these 2008 sessions for Arbors. The grandson of the late trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Croker salutes his ancestor by playing a number of songs associated with him, adapting an approach that would have pleased his grandfather, one that keeps the melody in mind and avoids wasting notes.
Testimony
"There are good, great andnice musical players, but then there are phenomenal instrumentalist such as Theo. I would place Theo in a class of musicians who will redirect the flow , change and alter the current of today's New Jazz. Theo has the ability and the intelligence to challenge the direction of Nu Music. Theo is one of today's titans. He is a Sankofa"
Donald Byrd
"He has the tools, the intelligence and the ability and the talents. The future looks bright for Croker."
Wynton Marsalis
"Theo Croker is one of the most promising and creative trumpeters on the horizon today and is also one of the most energetic artists I have ever encountered."
Marcus Belgrave
"I met Theo at Oberlin College. As soon as we met I knew that he was on, we hit it off. I had an opportunity to listen to his compositions and I was amazed. Theo is a great, talented, brilliant young trumpet player."
Bill Lee
"Theo has composed some interesting and challenging music played by young, talented musicians."
Robin Eubanks
"This man has made a remarkable impression thus far with his dedication to music. He is also an accomplished arranger and composer"
All About Jazz.com
Scroll for More
Theo Croker International © 2009
