THEO CROKER
Theo Croker
Theo Croker is a Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, producer, and bandleader based in New York City, known for pushing modern jazz into the territories of experimental hip-hop and cosmic soul. Born in Leesburg, Florida, he studied at Oberlin Conservatory under Donald Byrd and Gary Bartz before spending seven transformative years in Shanghai as the first artist-in-residence at the historic Peace Hotel Jazz Club. As a producer, Croker brings a hip-hop beatmaker's ear to jazz — layering, sampling, and shaping sonic worlds that bridge genres. He has collaborated with and produced alongside Ari Lennox, Common, J. Cole, Jill Scott, and Wyclef Jean. His 2025 album DREAM MANIFEST premiered at London's Barbican Theatre with designer Nicholas Daley and was called 'timeless and forward-facing' by the Wall Street Journal and 'a path to jazz greatness' by the LA Times. With over seven studio albums and 222K monthly Spotify listeners, Croker is one of the most commercially visible jazz producers of his generation. He is signed to his own label SPN Records.
Bio
Theo Croker is a Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, producer, and bandleader based in New York City, known for pushing modern jazz into the territories of experimental hip-hop and cosmic soul. Born in Leesburg, Florida, he studied at Oberlin Conservatory under Donald Byrd and Gary Bartz before spending seven transformative years in Shanghai as the first artist-in-residence at the historic Peace Hotel Jazz Club. As a producer, Croker brings a hip-hop beatmaker's ear to jazz — layering, sampling, and shaping sonic worlds that bridge genres. He has collaborated with and produced alongside Ari Lennox, Common, J. Cole, Jill Scott, and Wyclef Jean. His 2025 album DREAM MANIFEST premiered at London's Barbican Theatre with designer Nicholas Daley and was called 'timeless and forward-facing' by the Wall Street Journal and 'a path to jazz greatness' by the LA Times. With over seven studio albums and 222K monthly Spotify listeners, Croker is one of the most commercially visible jazz producers of his generation. He is signed to his own label SPN Records.
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