Theo Croker

On Friday, July 11, 2008 Harlem in the Himalayas will present the Theo Croker Quartet plus Wycliffe Gordon at 7:00pm at the Rubin Museum of Art (150 West 17th Street) Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. The quintet features Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, Theo Croker on trumpet, Sullivan Fortner on piano, Chris Mees on bass, and Kassa Overallon drums.

At 22 years old, Theo Croker has already distinguished himself as a vital force in the jazz community. As the grandson of jazz trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, Doc’s legacy is profoundly felt when he plays.
 
Theo knew that he would be a trumpet player from the moment he picked up his first horn at the age of eleven. As a teenager, Theo sought to distinguish himself as an artist, realizing that he would need to be in an environment that nurtured his growth as a trumpet player, so at the age of 16, Theo moved out of his home and relocated to Jacksonville, Florida. There he continued his high school education at The Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, a school recognized for its dedication to young artists. Theo quickly made a name for himself and stood out amongst his peers. He was appointed the first artist in residence at The Ritz Theater in 2003 through 2004 where he was commissioned to compose works and lead a 17 piece Big Band, A Septet, and The Ritz Voices, (a choir comprised of 80 individuals).

 
Theo graduated in May 2007 from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio with a B.A. in Jazz performance. At Oberlin Theo studied under the guidance of legendary trumpeter Marcus Belgrave & Donald Byrd, as well as Wendell Logan, Gary Bartz, Billy Hart, and Robin Eubanks. Upon graduating from Oberlin, Theo began his international career by taking his quartet to Shanghai, China where he had a four month (6 nights a week) engagement at "The House of Blues and Jazz".
 
In the spring of 2006, Theo received the Presser Music Foundation Award. With this grant, Theo recorded his first album "The Fundamentals” in New York City with his band The Theo Croker Sextet. Those who have listened to the album have been impressed by Theo's musicianship. Amongst these people is legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd, who was compelled to write: "There are good, great and nice musical players, but then there are phenomenal instrumentalists 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's desire to grow as an artist has taken him into the realm of other genres. In addition to his love for Jazz music, he writes and produces hip-hop, rap, film scores, and contemporary classical, as well as many other forms of music. He is not limited by genres. Marcus Belgrave states: "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".
  

Wycliffe_Gordaon © G. F. Aquilino

It must have been this Ellington era quality that caught the ears of jazz educator Wynton Marsalis, who heard Gordon play while the trumpeter was giving a workshop at Gordon's alma mater, Florida A&M University. Their fortuitous meeting resulted in Gordon joining the Wynton Marsalis Septet, as well as the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, in 1989. As a member of the illustrious band, Gordon contributed as both musician and composer. Gordon, who like Charles Mingus says he hears music in his head all the time, has managed to write some of it down, and then hear it performed all over the world by the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. Whether they know it or not, National Public Radio fans are familiar with the musician's work: In 1993, Gordon composed the NPR theme song.
 
Gordon, an admirer of Louis Armstrong, J.J. Johnson, and Jack Teagarden, prefers the melodic approach to playing and composition. The listener can hear that on any of his outstanding recordings. His first outing was with fellow trombonist Ron Westray on their 1996 release, Bone Structure. More good things came with Slidin’ Home, recorded in 1999. Joined by Victor Goines, Eric Reed, Rodney Whitaker, Herlin Riley, Milt Grayson, Joe Temperley, and Randy Sandke, Gordon really struts his stuff on this one, showing a wide range of influences from big band to gospel.


 

Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.

Box Office: 212.620.5000 ext. 344