“Croker boasts a beautiful legato tone, and his ability to make many phrases sound as one fluid thought is the sign of a truly masterful musician. The variety of timbres that Croker coaxed from his instrument was kaleidoscopic: rounded, flutter low notes; otherworldly cries in the upper register; muted drones with strange, deep overtones; searing, non-tonal sounds. All required a rare mix of control and innovation … that one only achieves through serious study and countless hours of exploration.”
-Rochester City Newspaper
This young trumpeter, singer, and bandleader has deep roots in jazz and the vision to see beyond the art form. The grandson of jazz trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, Croker has earned the attention of top musicians including Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove and many more; and legendary vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater produced his most recent recording, Escape Velocity, a sprawling, genre-bending journey through bop, soul, funk, R&B, and beyond. In addition to his love for jazz, he writes and produces hip-hop, rap, film scores, and contemporary classical, among other forms. Hear this groundbreaking artist in his Virginia Arts Festival debut!
Co-presented with Virginia Arts Festival
