Listening to lyrical phrasing so hip, such engaging rhythms would cease Miles Davis in his tracks. Trumpeter and composer Theo Croker is pushing the music ahead, instigating hip hop, bop, that soul beat driving on funk melodies. Don’t be afraid — take a deep breath and groove to the artistic voice of Croker. His observe “Excessive Vibrations” (that includes Malaya & D’LEAU) on his just lately launched double-CD “Dream Manifest” (Dom Recs, 2025) is a mesmerizing dance tune (with membership electronics), kickin’ hardcore hypnotic beats, and soul vibrations the place dancing turns into a reflex, not a mere thought.
Croker’s uncompromising hip hop rhymes expose the reality on his tune “Jazz Is Lifeless,” offered throughout an NPR Tiny Desk Live performance in 2023. Test it: “Jazz is lifeless/ For this music our folks bled/ born from black mental minds/ received diplomas however received to receives a commission/ you laughin’ and smilin’ however dancing in chains/ Charlie Parker and Miles Davis informed us Jazz is lifeless/ jazz goes to be the demise of me however we’ll present you the recipe.” The one was initially recorded in 2022 together with his mentor and former professor NEA Jazz Grasp Gary Bartz and longtime pal and collaborator drummer Kassa General. “Jazz Is Lifeless” is Croker’s testomony to the inadequacy of a single phrase to seize the importance of such a treasured musical custom.
The trumpeter’s music displays his private kaleidoscope of life experiences, an amalgamation of Black American music that may be a direct hyperlink to his legendary grandfather, trumpeter and bandleader Doc Cheatham.
From February 18–22, the Smoke Jazz & Supper Membership (2751 Broadway) presents Croker armed with an arsenal of numerous music, operating by hip hop underground to lovely ballads that linger like a thousand butterflies in flight. His stellar group for this uncommon New York engagement will characteristic pianist/keyboards Tyler Bullock II, bassist Eric Wheeler, and drummer Koleby Royston.
His broadly acclaimed double-CD “Dream Manifest” is greater than sufficient to maintain audiences attentive throughout his Smoke residency, however Croker is accustomed to taking of us far above the clouds the place stars and music converse. Maybe he’ll embody choices from his third album, “Escape Velocity” (DDB Data, Sony Masterworks, Okeh Data, 2016), a celestial religious mix of funk with modes of Pharoah Sanders — one thing for the spirit for these attempting occasions.
Croker was nonetheless a youngster after we met at Harlem’s historic Lenox Lounge, the place he and saxophonist Arnold Lee have been accompanying his influential father, bassist, composer, and arranger Invoice Lee. The 2 college students had are available from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for the gig. His heat timbre sparked me to observe his blossoming profession that has reworked him from a younger lion to a longtime, creative artist, nonetheless rising.
Croker’s seven-year keep in Shanghai, China, broadened his idea of jazz to embody worldly sounds not prevalent within the U.S. that he has since built-in into his American influences. He has toured, recorded, and collaborated with NEA Jazz Masters vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and Gary Bartz, who’ve each performed a serious position in his musicianship. He continues to work with them when he isn’t busy together with his personal initiatives. Croker performs music within the core of now and the second but to be heard.
For set occasions and reservations, go to smokejazz.com.
T.Okay. Blue’s touring all through the continent of Africa over time has influenced his vibrant alto saxophone sound with potent rhythms rooted within the Motherland. On his latest go to to Ghana, West Africa, Blue had a chance to carry out with among the nation’s most famed musicians, sharing in a cultural trade of musical ideas. “Sharing music with my African brothers and sisters is at all times a religious second most inspiring,” mentioned Blue.
Blue brings his important mix of African rhythms, straight-ahead jazz, and interpretations of the diaspora to the Django on February 21, for 2 late-night units, at 11 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. The night celebrates Aquarian jazz musicians, which incorporates Blue, who celebrated his birthday on February 7.
His trusted band options trumpeter Michael Cruse, pianist Alva Nelson, acoustic bass guitarist Paul Beaudry, and drummer Greg Bufford with Blue on alto/sprano, flute, and kalimba. His repertoire will embody music to heal, reminiscent, invigorate, and swing from his latest acclaimed CD “Planet Bluu” (JAJA Data), in addition to music from his deep reservoir of originals.
For reservations or extra data, go to thedjangonyc.com.
