A trumpeter, composer and bandleader out of Leesburg, Florida, Theo Croker is a rising star who’s captured the attention of some of jazz’s biggest names for his virtuosity and innovative style. As legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd said, “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.” Back in the States after nearly a decade living and working in China, Croker and his band, DVRK FUNK (pronounced “dark funk”), perform at the Kuumbwa on April 19.
INFO: 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19. Kuumbwa Jazz, 320-2 Cedar St., Santa Cruz. $27/adv, $32/door. 427-2227. WANT TO GO? Go to santacruz.com/giveaways before 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 12 to find out how you could win a pair of tickets to the show.
