At 21 years old, Theo has already distinguished himself as a vital force in the jazz community....

At 21 years old, Theo has already distinguished himself as a vital force in the jazz community. As the grandson of jazz trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, Theo's legacy is profoundly felt when he plays. His musicianship possesses a depth that can usually only be achieved through a lifetime's worth of experience.

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. He realized that he would need to be in an environment that nurtured his growth as a trumpet player. At the age of 16, Theo moved out of his home and relocated to Jacksonville, FL on his own. In Jacksonville, 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 in Jacksonville and stood out amongst his peers. Theo 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). Part of this commission involved teaching a number of educational workshops for young people. At the age of 17, Theo held six concerts in two seasons with his groups at the Ritz Theater.

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 trumpeters Donald Byrd & Marcus Belgrave, as well as Wendell Logan, Gary Bartz, Billy Hart, and Robin Eubanks. While in the midst of his studies at Oberlin, Theo performed professionally with legendary artists such as Louis Hayes and his Cannonball Adderley Tribute Quintet (at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola at Lincoln Center).

He was a featured artist at the 2005 JVC Jazz Festival at Jazz at Lincoln Center's Rose Hall, sharing the stage with jazz legends Clark Terry, Jimmy Heath, Frank Wess, Benny Powell, and others. He was also a featured artist at the 2005 Windsor Jazz Festival, the 2005 Aspen Snow Mass Festival at the Wheeler Opera House, feature performer for the 2005 Highlights in Jazz series at the Tribeca Center for Performing Arts in New York City, and special guest with Nicholas Payton at the 2005 New Orleans Jazz Festival, (as well as leading his own quintet on countless performances in Cleveland, Detroit, & NYC).

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. Each band member is equally as impressive as the next. All in their early 20s, they define the ambitious and highly skilled lions of this generation.

The album includes 10 tunes all of which he composed and arranged. The Fundamentals is being played all over the world in places such as: Australia, The Netherlands, London, Quebec, New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Ukraine, Germany, Portugal, Scotland, France, Poland, Columbia, Turkey, and the Central Republic of Africa. Those who have listened to the album have been overwhelmed and impressed by Theo's musicianship. Amongst these people is legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd, who was compelled to write in response:

“There are good, great and nice 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 is a multi-Grammy-winning composer and recording artist.)
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