Theon Cross W/ Steam Down at Dazzle Jazz Club

Theon Cross is one of those rare musicians whose vision has redefined their instrument. His unique approach to the tuba has expanded the instrument’s sonic possibilities in revolutionary fashion, restoring it to a long-forgotten prominence as a crucial part of the contemporary jazz ensemble. Through his combination of technical mastery, studio smarts, deep musical knowledge and expansive vision, the power and originality of Theon’s playing has reinvented the tuba’s place in modern music.His most recent album, Intra-I (meaning ‘Within Self’) released in 2021 synthesizes the diversity of his musical art and experience to deliver an essential message to a world gripped by tribulation...

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Theon Cross is one of those rare musicians whose vision has redefined their instrument. His unique approach to the tuba has expanded the instrument’s sonic possibilities in revolutionary fashion, restoring it to a long-forgotten prominence as a crucial part of the contemporary jazz ensemble. Through his combination of technical mastery, studio smarts, deep musical knowledge and expansive vision, the power and originality of Theon’s playing has reinvented the tuba’s place in modern music.His most recent album, Intra-I (meaning ‘Within Self’) released in 2021 synthesizes the diversity of his musical art and experience to deliver an essential message to a world gripped by tribulation. Across ten sonically divergent and bass-rich tracks, Intra-I explores themes of self-reliance, origins, identity and more. Since its release he has contributed a version of Monk’s Epistrophy for Blue Note Re:Imagined II, been a core part of Miles Davis channeling collective London Brew and featured on Matthew Herbert’s single The Horse Has A Voice. He has also released his first 7” single Wings b/w a version of Aswad’s Back to Africa.He completed his first tour of North America in October 2022 with a combination of headline shows and supports for Makaya McCraven. This year will see him play multiple live dates in solo, duo and band configurations across the UK, Europe, North and South America.Performing with Steam Down for their first North American tour. Steam Down is an artist collective, weekly event and music community based in Deptford, South-East London. Founded by multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Ahnansé in 2017, the initial event was created to connect London based musicians and producers. Since then it has evolved into a weekly event where Steam Down artists and its extended musical family generate spontaneous sonic soundscapes reflecting their lives in the city.Steam Down has quickly become a household name in London’s music scene, receiving two Jazz FM awards including The Innovation Award sponsored by Mishcon de Reya and Live Experience of the Year Award sponsored by Yamaha UK featuring Kamasi Washington. In addition, Sky News produced a full feature on Steam Down and its fundamental role within London’s flourishing Jazz scene.Since its entrance into the scene, Steam Down have sold out Jazz Café, as well as their own headline EU and UK Tour. ’ Steam Down sold out Deptford’s historical venue The Albany twice within a two-month period, as well was London’s Village Underground. In addition to this, Steam Down has performed at a number of festivals including Gilles Peterson's We Out Here Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, SXSW and Glastonbury’s Park Stage. 

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