Theo Croker

Grammy-nominated trumpeter Theo Croker arrives at Yoshi's to showcase his new album DREAM MANIFEST, where jazz, experimental hip-hop, and cosmic soul collide in an immersive sonic experience. The grandson of jazz legend Doc Cheatham brings his boundary-pushing vision to Oakland's intimate venue, blending his conservatory training with seven years as artist-in-residence in Shanghai and collaborations with Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, and J. Cole.

Croker's live performances unfold like cinematic suites — dynamic, emotionally tuned to the room, and visually captivating. As DownBeat notes, he "layers music and lyrics with the deft touch of a hip-hop producer and the spontaneity of a jazz trumpeter." His trumpet acts as both melodic voice and textural force, seamlessly woven into a production landscape rich with samples, synths, and live sound design performed with his acoustic ensemble.

Expect an evening where Croker fires off samples and electronic touches from his complex stage setup while maintaining the laid-back but assured trumpet style that defines his sound. His recent Barbican Theatre premiere was called "a triumph" by Jazzwise, praising his emotional depth and total stage control alongside psychedelic projections and carefully considered visuals.

The DREAM MANIFEST material includes the high-energy "We Still Wanna Dance," the soul-laced "High Vibrations," and the hypnotic "Crystal Waterfalls" — tracks that showcase Croker's genre-defying approach. As NPR observes, his unmistakable air of chill comes from "a clear musical approach and determination," qualities that have made him a magnetic performer from NPR's Tiny Desk to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

This is jazz reimagined for the present moment — rooted in tradition but dressed in contemporary clothing, where the future meets the mothership and every detail has been carefully considered.