I'll be singing and playing piano at the unique and wonderful Federicos Grill offering up a tasty mix of Jazz Standards, Bossa Nova, Blues, R&B and other stuff. You can find me here every other Thursday. When the weather is warm I am out on the patio where there is a lovely view of the hills and sunset. Come and enjoy a delicious Italian meal or just have a drink and/or dessert in a warm, colorful, arty and friendly place~ Located in the historic town of Niles, where Charlie Chaplin made his first movies, come early and explore the Essanay Theatre, antique and curio shops. Hope to see you there!
GRAMMY-nominated trumpeter, composer, producer, and bandleader Theo Croker continues to redefine the possibilities of modern jazz with his new album, DREAM MANIFEST (Dom Recs / Fat Beats, June 13). Hailed by the LA Times as “a path to jazz greatness,” Croker’s latest work is an immersive journey where jazz, experimental hip-hop, and cosmic soul collide — the result of an artist unbound by genre and led only by creative vision. With singles like the high-energy “We Still Wanna Dance” (produced by D’LEAU), the soul-laced “High Vibrations” (featuring Malaya), and the hypnotic “Crystal Waterfalls,” Croker shapes a sonic world that is both timeless and of the moment (Wall Street Journal). His unmistakable air of chill, as NPR notes, comes from “a clear musical approach and determination” — qualities that have made him a standout collaborator for artists like Ari Lennox, Common, J. Cole, Jill Scott, and Wyclef Jean, and a magnetic performer on stages from NPR’s Tiny Desk to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Croker approaches live performance with the vision of a producer and the spontaneity of a jazz artist. As DownBeat writes, he “layers music and lyrics with the deft touch of a hip-hop producer and the spontaneity of a jazz trumpeter.” From underground clubs to global festival stages, his sets unfold like cinematic suites — immersive, dynamic, and emotionally tuned to the room. His trumpet acts as both a melodic voice and a textural force, seamlessly woven into a production landscape rich with samples, synths, and sound design — all performed live with his acoustic ensemble. As VICE notes, Croker is known for pushing the boundaries of jazz, neo-soul, and hip-hop, crafting a sound that defies traditional genre classifications. That expansive approach was on full display in February 2025, when he premiered Dream Manifest live at London’s iconic Barbican Theatre in collaboration with designer Nicholas Daley. The Evening Standard called it “jazz, just not as we know it,” and Jazzwise described it as “a triumph,” praising Croker’s emotional depth, total stage control, and hinting at “a lot more to come from this assured bandleader.”
Grammy Winner, Doris Duke Artist, and Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellow Miguel Zenón represents a select group of musicians who have masterfully balanced and blended the often-contradictory poles of innovation and tradition. Widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential saxophonists and composers of his generation, he has also developed a unique voice as a conceptualist, concentrating his efforts on perfecting a fine mix between jazz and his many musical influences. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Zenón has released eighteen recordings as a leader, including his latest, the Grammy-nominated Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard (2025) and the Grammy-winning album El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2 (2023). He has worked with luminaries such as The SFJAZZ Collective, Charlie Haden, Fred Hersch, Kenny Werner, David Sánchez, Danilo Perez, The Village Vanguard Orchestra, Kurt Elling, Joey Calderazzo, Steve Coleman, Ray Barreto, Andy Montañez, Jerry Gonzalez & The Fort Apache Band, The Mingus Big Band, and Bobby Hutcherson. In April 2008, he received a fellowship from the prestigious John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. Later that year, he was one of 25 distinguished individuals chosen to receive the coveted MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the “Genius Grant.” In 2011, he founded Caravana Cultural, a program that presents free-of-charge Jazz concerts in rural areas of Puerto Rico. In 2022, he received an Honorary Doctorate from La Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan, Puerto Rico, the highest honor bestowed by the institution. In 2024, he received a Doris Duke Artist Award from the Doris Duke Foundation. Zenón has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, and The Chicago Tribune. In addition, he topped both the Jazz Artist of the Year and Alto Saxophonist of the Year categories in the 2014 JazzTimes Critics Poll and was selected as Alto Saxophonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020 (when he was also recognized as Arranger of the Year). In 2023, he was recognized by the same organization as the Composer of the Year. As a composer he has been commissioned by SFJAZZ, NYO Jazz, The New York State Council on the Arts, Chamber Music America, Logan Center for The Arts, The Hyde Park Jazz Festival, The John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, MIT, Spektral Quartet, Miller Theater, The Hewlett Foundation, Peak Performances, PRISM Quartet, Kinetic Ensemble and many of his peers. Zenón has given hundreds of lectures and master classes at institutions all over the world and is an Associate Professor in the Music & Theater Arts Department at MIT.
To watch Stella Cole perform is to be transported back in time. Her sense of joy and wonder is infectious – one look at her massive social media following makes this clear. Take a quick scroll through the comments of any of her many viral videos and you’ll see not only her irresistible charm, but an ability to expose fans of all ages to the wonders of the Great American Songbook, especially when these timeless stories are told honestly by an artist with an uncanny ability to transcend generations. On her highly anticipated debut recording, Stella is presented performing interpreting a collection of classics in a variety of settings, including many featuring an orchestra arranged by multiple Grammy-winner Alan Broadbent. Featuring songs made famous by everyone from Barbra Streisand (“When the Sun Comes Out”) and Judy Garland (“The Boy Next Door” and a classic re-interpretation of “Over the Rainbow”) to Billie Eilish (“My Future”) and Audrey Hepburn (“Moon River” of course!), it is sure to be one of the most impressive vocal recordings of 2024. Upon first hearing Stella Cole, one is immediately struck by her rich tone and extraordinary vocal control. However, what is particularly rare is her ability to interpret songs that were initially intended for actors in character in a direct, personally vulnerable way that connects to something within herself, placing her in the lineage of the greatest interpreters of the repertoire. Perhaps most exciting, to her many young fans, who have never heard these songs before, these are Stella Cole songs, which clearly makes her one of the most exciting artists of her generation.
To watch Stella Cole perform is to be transported back in time. Her sense of joy and wonder is infectious – one look at her massive social media following makes this clear. Take a quick scroll through the comments of any of her many viral videos, and you’ll see not only her irresistible charm but an ability to expose fans of all ages to the wonders of the Great American Songbook, especially when these timeless stories are told honestly by an artist with an uncanny ability to transcend generations. On her highly anticipated debut recording, Stella is presented performing interpreting a collection of classics in a variety of settings, including many featuring an orchestra arranged by multiple Grammy-winner Alan Broadbent. Featuring songs made famous by everyone from Barbra Streisand (“When the Sun Comes Out”) and Judy Garland (“The Boy Next Door” and a classic re-interpretation of “Over the Rainbow”) to Billie Eilish (“My Future”) and Audrey Hepburn (“Moon River” of course!), it is sure to be one of the most impressive vocal recordings of 2024. Upon first hearing Stella Cole, one is immediately struck by her rich tone and extraordinary vocal control. However, what is particularly rare is her ability to interpret songs that were initially intended for actors in character in a direct, personally vulnerable way that connects to something within herself, placing her in the lineage of the greatest interpreters of the repertoire. Perhaps most exciting, to her many young fans, who have never heard these songs before, these are Stella Cole songs, which clearly makes her one of the most exciting artists of her generation.
About Ja Ronn & FLOW is a dynamic vocal ensemble led by Ja Ronn Thompson, blending gospel, R&B, soul, jazz, and contemporary sounds into powerful, genre-bending performances. Known for their rich harmonies, electrifying energy, and emotionally resonant storytelling, FLOW creates moments that feel both concert and community experience. With multiple sold-out performances at Yoshi’s and appearances on national platforms, Ja Ronn & FLOW deliver music that moves the spirit, the body, and the room.
I'll be singing and playing piano at the unique and wonderful Federicos Grill offering up a tasty mix of Jazz Standards, Bossa Nova, Blues, R&B and other stuff. You can find me here every other Thursday. When the weather is warm I am out on the patio where there is a lovely view of the hills and sunset. Come and enjoy a delicious Italian meal or just have a drink and/or dessert in a warm, colorful, arty and friendly place~ Located in the historic town of Niles, where Charlie Chaplin made his first movies, come early and explore the Essanay Theatre, antique and curio shops. Hope to see you there!