Blue Jay Pie was a jazz combo composed of some very young and talented musicians from one of the elite and highly acclaimed High Schools in the Memphis Area. Richard Trosper - Drums, Jeff Terry - Bass, Gerard McVay - Guitar, Wes Walker - Tenor Sax and Sal Crocker - Baritone Sax. This particular performance was at the gran opening of the Hickory Ridge Mall.
Sal pictured here in 1981 and dressed in the full marching band attire. Although Sal didn't care much for marching band, he enjoyed the football games, comradarey of the fellow musicians and trips.
1982 - Sal doing homework with his horn in tow.
Cool green Suit & Stacks late 70's.
Large cover band featuring four vocalists, four horns, drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards. Large bands were in then and horn players were working!
Concert in the park back in the day.
Sal's first instrument, a guitar. Well, at least he thought it was. Factoid: Grant Green was Sal's Godfather.
Concert in 1983 featuring Jim Varner on keys and Sal on Soprano. Sal received a full scholarship to Berklee School of Music.
It was rare that you see Sal without his Bari. The Baritone saxophone is affectionately called "Bari" by musicians. Pepper Adams was one of Sal's favorite Bari players.
Sal at approximately age 12 with cousins and sister by his side. Sal started playing saxophone in 6th grade at age 10.
Miss USA and the two Tennessee McDonald All-American Marching Band state representatives. Each state and the U.S. Virgin Islands had to select two musicians from audition tapes to become members of the corporate sponsored band. Out of those one hundred plus band members, a second selection was made for the McDonald's All-American Jazz Band. Sal was fortunate enough to be selected to both. These bands toured the country not by bus, but by plane, all expense paid by the McDonald's corporation.
Desperately trying to gain access.
