Theo Croker is an American trumpeter, composer, producer, and singer. He has been nominated for Grammy and Echo awards. The grandson of legendary trumpeter Doc Cheatham, he was a student of the equally famous Donald Byrd. Since 2007, he has released seven albums, with guest appearances by stars such as Jill Scott, Jamila Woods, and Wyclef Jean on his current album, 2022's "Love Quantum."
Croker is adept at the classic styles of swing, be-bop, and acoustic jazz, and has played in big band, but his music also reveals a love of organic funk, soul, salsa, and groove-oriented hip-hop. Croker's amalgam would also please the always forward-thinking Donald Byrd, whose 1970s jazz-funk albums were a touchstone for his former student.
After graduating, Croker lived in Shanghai until 2013, released his first two albums there, was a resident artist at China's oldest jazz club, and a composer and bandleader for "The Tonight Show."
His life, career, and place of residence were changed by meeting Dee Dee Bridgewater, who produced his third, now American, album "Afro Physicist", in addition to guesting as a vocalist on three tracks. This album also features a rarity - Croker's own composition sung by the world-famous trumpeter Roy Hargrove. The album shot Croker into the premier jazz league in which she has been composing, recording, and performing ever since. Outside of his territory, he has appeared as a guest musician on albums by hip-hop legends Common and J Cole.
He will be performing with his jazz quartet at the Bratislava Jazz Days Slovak Savings Bank, coming to our festival after playing four concerts at the legendary London jazz club Ronnie Scott's.