Theo Croker: Live At Zinc Bar, New York, NY – Concert Review

20130417_2015Zinc Bar, New York, NY,  8 April 8th 2013

“It will be all right… because it will, or else it’ll be the end.”

That’s what Trumpet player, singer, composer, and arranger Theo Croker says in the middle of his set during his performance at Zinc Bar in New York City.

Croker, born and raised in

Leesburg, Florida, is the incarnation of his words. A man who blows into his trumpet and makes you feel that no matter what happens in the world, everything will be all right.

How can it not be?

His third album is in the works and his producer is legendary singer Dee Dee Bridgewater. Mrs. Bridgewater will release Crocker’s production as the first recording project on her own label.

In fact, Dee Dee Bridgewater is in the audience dancing and clapping to Crocker’s quintet performance of “Happy Feet”; a song that Crocker wrote before the movie with the same title came out, and which toys around with even and uneven music meters.

But it’s not only the song what’s making everyone in the audience smile, it’s also the solos and the vibe created by the drums of Kassa Overall, the bass of Eric Wheeler, the piano of David Byrant, the sax of Anthony Ware, and the fact that Crocker is joking about the movie guys owing him some “dough”.

The joke turns even funnier once I get back home and Google Crocker’s name to discover he lives in Shanghai, China, and is the grandson of trumpet player and Grammy award winner, Doc Cheatham.

A couple of songs after “Happy Feet,” Mrs. Bridgewater jumps on stage, and while checking her microphone, she calls 28-year-old Croker “my baby.”  Then, the band proceeds to accompany her in “Can’t Help it” and “Save Your Love for Me” in a groovy arrangement that pays homage to Nu music. The songs are followed by “Meditations,” Crocker’s composition based on a dub-funky groove.

However, the most interesting part of the concert is when the quintet plays Wayne Shorter’s “Water Babies” and then, transforms it into War’s “Low Rider”.

To finish his outstanding performance, Crocker invites again Mrs. Bridgewater to sing a song by Michael Jackson, but the truth is that I still had Lo Rider’s hook in my mind, and by the end of it all, I was truly convinced that in fact, everything is going to be all right, because otherwise, it’ll be the end.

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For More Information Visit:
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http://www.theocroker.com
http://www.zincbar.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzCzsZMz3HE

 

Author: Andrea Baquero