Theo Croker, Sullivan Fortner

Biography

Theo Croker and Sullivan Fortner represent a dynamic musical partnership rooted in nearly two decades of friendship, collaboration, and shared artistic vision. Theo Croker (born July 18, 1985, in Leesburg, Florida) is a Grammy-nominated trumpeter, composer, and producer who draws inspiration from his grandfather, Grammy-winning jazz legend Doc Cheatham. After studying under Donald Byrd and Gary Bartz at Oberlin Conservatory, Croker spent seven years in Shanghai (2006-2013) as the first artist-in-residence at the Peace Hotel Jazz Club, where he broadened his musical palette to encompass jazz, neo-soul, salsa, fusion-rock, R&B, hip-hop, and blues. Sullivan Fortner (born December 29, 1986, in New Orleans) is a Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer who began playing at age 7, following the storied lineage of New Orleans improvisers. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Oberlin Conservatory and Master of Music in Jazz Performance from Manhattan School of Music, later serving as a faculty member and visiting professor at Oberlin.

The Croker-Fortner collaboration spans multiple studio projects and live performances, beginning with Croker's early albums and continuing through major label releases. Their partnership is characterized by mutual respect and complementary musical sensibilities—Croker's expansive trumpet voice paired with Fortner's harmonic sophistication and rhythmic clarity. Fortner has appeared on Croker's albums including The Fundamentals (2007), Afro Physicist (2014, produced by Dee Dee Bridgewater), and In The Tradition (Arbors Records), as well as the collaborative project Play. Beyond their direct work together, both artists have established themselves as sought-after collaborators and educators, with Fortner earning international acclaim for his work with vocalist Cecile McLorin Salvant and Croker collaborating with artists including Jill Scott, Ari Lennox, J. Cole, and Common.

Fun Facts

• Theo Croker spent seven years (2006-2013) living and performing in Shanghai, China, where he became the first artist-in-residence at the historic Peace Hotel Jazz Club, significantly broadening his musical palette beyond traditional jazz.
• Sullivan Fortner won the 2015 American Piano Awards Cole Porter Fellowship in Jazz, which included a $50,000 prize, the opportunity to record for Mack Avenue Records, and two years of professional career services and development.
• Sullivan Fortner's first album as leader, Aria (Impulse! Records), received a four-star review from DownBeat magazine, establishing him as a major voice in contemporary jazz.
• The friendship between Theo Croker and Sullivan Fortner stretches back nearly two decades, marked by jam sessions, gigs, tours, and collaborative studio work that demonstrates one of jazz's most enduring creative partnerships.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Doc Cheatham - Croker's grandfather and Grammy-winning jazz trumpet legend who inspired Croker to pick up the trumpet at age 11 (Inspired Croker's trumpet career) [1985 onwards]
• Donald Byrd - Croker's teacher at Oberlin Conservatory (Formal instruction in trumpet and jazz) [Early 2000s]
• Gary Bartz - Croker's teacher at Oberlin Conservatory (Formal instruction in jazz saxophone and composition) [Early 2000s]
• Barry Harris - Pianist who strongly influenced Fortner's approach to jazz harmony and tradition starting in 2011 (Stylistic and harmonic influence) [2011 onwards]

Key Collaborators

• Roy Hargrove - Fortner served as regular pianist in Hargrove's quintet; Hargrove also appeared on Fortner's album Moments Preserved (Moments Preserved (3 tracks), Roy Hargrove Quintet performances) [2010-2017]
• Dee Dee Bridgewater - Vocalist and producer who worked with both artists; produced Croker's Afro Physicist and collaborated with Fortner on The Window (Afro Physicist (2014), The Window, Ghost Song (2022)) [2010 onwards]
• Cecile McLorin Salvant - Vocalist with whom Fortner collaborated as key player and producer on The Window; earned 2023 Grammy nomination for arrangement work (The Window, Ghost Song (2022)) [2010s-2020s]
• Stefon Harris - Vibraphonist who worked with Fortner in 2009, including European tour; appeared on Croker's Afro Physicist (Stefon Harris band performances, Afro Physicist (2014)) [2009, 2014]
• Karriem Riggins - Drummer who performed with both artists; appeared on Croker's Afro Physicist and other projects (Afro Physicist (2014), Croker ensemble recordings) [2014 onwards]
• Justin Robinson - Saxophonist in Roy Hargrove's band who recorded with Fortner in 2013 (2013 recording session) [2013]
• Paul Simon - Fortner contributed to Simon's album In the Blue Light (In the Blue Light) [2018]

Artists Influenced

• Samara Joy - Vocalist with whom Fortner collaborated on Grammy Award-winning song (Twinkle Twinkle Little Me) [2020s]

Discography

Top Tracks

1. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues (In The Tradition)
2. She's Funny That Way (In The Tradition)
3. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You (In The Tradition)
4. Struttin' With Some Barbeque (In The Tradition)
5. You're Blasé (In The Tradition)
6. Jada (In The Tradition)
7. New Orleans (In The Tradition)
8. St. Louis Blues (In The Tradition)
9. I Cover the Waterfront (In The Tradition)
10. Little Things That Mean So Much (In The Tradition)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia