Brick Lane Jazz Festival - Theo Croker + special guests

The Barbican and local friends Brick Lane Jazz Festival present DREAM MANIFEST: a unique evening led by US-based trumpeter extraordinaire Theo Croker, co-curated by acclaimed fashion designer Nicholas Daley. Bringing together an exploration of soundscapes, style and the global jazz community for a very special night, Theo Croker’s DREAM MANIFEST will see Croker joined on stage at the Barbican by a suite of special guests from the London and international jazz and wider music scenes in February 2025.
 
A collaborative oratorio about imagination, DREAM MANIFEST explores the power to manifest in our universe. It is a sonic exploration that defies genre while being deeply rooted in tradition. This Barbican presentation of DREAM MANIFEST will also include a retrospective on Croker’s last two full length albums BLK2LIFE : A Future Past (Star People Nation, 2021) and Love Quantum (Star People Nation, 2022).
 
When performed live, DREAM MANIFEST also sees Croker add the role of DJ to his palette (in addition to the trumpet), performing and manipulating samples from the albums and reassembling elements of the band’s real-time performance to architect a sonic world live on stage.
 
Renowned for entrancing trumpet melodies and an innovative musical approach, Theo Croker is a standout figure in the contemporary music scene. The grandson of legendary trumpeter Doc Cheatham, Croker continues the legacy, collaborating with a diverse range of musicians, including the likes of Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ari Lennox, J. Cole, Jill Scott and Common, showcasing his versatility across jazz, hip hop, pop, and R&B landscapes.
 
Croker’s live performances command the stage with an infectious energy that captivates audiences globally. With a Grammy nomination, a memorable Tiny Desk performance, and three recent releases, BLK2LIFE : A Future Past, Love Quantum and Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XIII: Sketches of Miles, Croker continues to transcend genres, leaving an indelible mark on the evolving landscape of music with each resonant note.