Gerald Clayton & Friends Jam Session: Hosted by Theo Croker

"Gerald Clayton & Friends" is a weekly series on Tuesday nights, curated by iconic pianist and friend of Sam First, Gerald Clayton. The house band performs one set at 7:30pm which is immediately followed by a jam session from 9:00-11:00pm. Gerald will be out of town for this performance, but has arranged for trumpeter, visionary Theo Croker to lead in his place.

Theo Croker is a storyteller who speaks through his trumpet. A creative who refuses boundaries, the GRAMMY®️-nominated artist, composer, producer, influencer and thought leader projects his singular voice through music. Croker first debuted his simmering original sound in 2014 on the Dee Dee Bridgewater-assisted AfroPhysicist, returning two years later with 2016’s follow-up Escape Velocity, lauded by the Wall Street Journal as “timeless and of-the-moment.” He once again reached new heights with 2019’s Star People Nation, attracting widespread critical acclaim and garnering his first-ever GRAMMY® nomination for "Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.” In addition to his music being featured in television shows (HBO’s Insecure) and films (The Photograph), Croker has also lent his talents to platinum-selling albums by J. Cole, Ari Lennox, Common and more, all while touring with his band at venues across the globe. The year 2020 returned Croker to his childhood home in Florida, where he wrote and recorded his sixth full-length album BLK2LIFE || A FUTURE PAST, a star-studded effort featuring contributions from Wyclef Jean, Ari Lennox, Gary Bartz, Charlotte Dos Santos, Iman Omari, Malaya, and Kassa Overall. Lauded as a “smoldering neo-jazz collection” by The New York Times and “a vital experience” by CLASH, the album yet again propelled Croker to new heights, including his late-night television debut with a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert alongside Wyclef Jean. Croker now starts yet another chapter in his constant evolution as an artist with his seventh studio album.

Sam First | 6171 W Century Blvd #180, Los Angeles, CA 90045  |  21+

Show Times: The house band performs one set at 7:30pm which is immediately followed by a jam session from 9:00-11:00pm. A separate ticket is required for the the first set and the jam session.