Sal Crocker
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The Legends

Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Sal Crocker, Alan Pasqua, Derek Oles at the Blue Whale Los Angeles, CA.  These are all world-class musicians and faculty at the USC Thornton School of Music.  These men have performed with the biggest names in the industry and are highly sought after!

P.O.E.M.

Peter Erskine, Bob Mintzer, Sal Crocker, Alan Pasqua, Derek Oles at the Blue Whale Los Angeles, CA. These are all world-class musicians and faculty at the USC Thornton School of Music. These men have performed with the biggest names in the industry and are highly sought after!

Papa Lou Donaldson & Sal at the American Legion New York City.  "I remember hearing him for the first time in the early 80's and being amazed at his command of fast tempo bebop tunes."  &nbsp Lou Donaldson has an extensive discography and side-busting sense of humor.  He like many of the greats has an impressive background.  His discography starts with his first recording in the early 50's all the way up to 2000.  At 88 years of age, he is still vibrant and plays well.  He was a sideman on recordings with Gene Ammons, Clifford Brown, Thelonius Monk, Art Blakey and Jimmy Smith.

Papa Lou & Sal

Papa Lou Donaldson & Sal at the American Legion New York City. "I remember hearing him for the first time in the early 80's and being amazed at his command of fast tempo bebop tunes." &nbsp Lou Donaldson has an extensive discography and side-busting sense of humor. He like many of the greats has an impressive background. His discography starts with his first recording in the early 50's all the way up to 2000. At 88 years of age, he is still vibrant and plays well. He was a sideman on recordings with Gene Ammons, Clifford Brown, Thelonius Monk, Art Blakey and Jimmy Smith.

Eliane & Sal.  "Eliane is another one of my favorite artists."&nbsp   Eliane is Brazilian and her culture courses through her musical veins.  She was a child prodigy and attended Juliard.  She has an amazing amount of soul and a very accomplished career, including several grammy nominations.  Eliane has performed with everyone.

Sal & Eliane

Eliane & Sal. "Eliane is another one of my favorite artists."&nbsp Eliane is Brazilian and her culture courses through her musical veins. She was a child prodigy and attended Juliard. She has an amazing amount of soul and a very accomplished career, including several grammy nominations. Eliane has performed with everyone.

Bob Mintzer graciously sharing his wealth of knowledge with Sal.  "Bob is my mentor and really close friend."&nbsp  Bob Mintzer's accomplishments are too numerous to describe on this slide.  He is a 20+ year member of the grammy award winning group "The YellowJackets" and also has maintained an accomplished and grammy winning Big Band.  He heads up the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.  He is an amazing soloist, composer and educator.  "Most of all, he is one of the most humble people you will ever meet.  I am blessed to have him as a friend, mentor and teacher."

Bob & Sal

Bob Mintzer graciously sharing his wealth of knowledge with Sal. "Bob is my mentor and really close friend."&nbsp Bob Mintzer's accomplishments are too numerous to describe on this slide. He is a 20+ year member of the grammy award winning group "The YellowJackets" and also has maintained an accomplished and grammy winning Big Band. He heads up the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. He is an amazing soloist, composer and educator. "Most of all, he is one of the most humble people you will ever meet. I am blessed to have him as a friend, mentor and teacher."

In 1983, Sal studied with Billy Pierce at Berklee in Boston, MA.  Billy & Sal talking about setup before the show.  Sal's band featuring Mulgrew Miller opened for Billy at the Cordova Performing Arts Center in 2008. Billy performed with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers for a number of years.  He also performed with many other amazing musicians from Stevie Wonder to Tony Williams, former drummer for Miles Davis.

Billy Pierce & Sal

In 1983, Sal studied with Billy Pierce at Berklee in Boston, MA. Billy & Sal talking about setup before the show. Sal's band featuring Mulgrew Miller opened for Billy at the Cordova Performing Arts Center in 2008. Billy performed with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers for a number of years. He also performed with many other amazing musicians from Stevie Wonder to Tony Williams, former drummer for Miles Davis.

Jimmy Heath & Sal (LAX)

Sal & Jimmy Heath

Jimmy Heath & Sal (LAX)

Peter Erskine and Sal.  Peter went to a High School  music academy (Interlochen Arts Academy), together with Bob Mintzer and they have been friends ever since.  Peter has performed with everybody and is a legend and a tremendously nice man.  "Peter Erskine is one of my all-time favorite drummers."

Peter Erskine & Sal

Peter Erskine and Sal. Peter went to a High School music academy (Interlochen Arts Academy), together with Bob Mintzer and they have been friends ever since. Peter has performed with everybody and is a legend and a tremendously nice man. "Peter Erskine is one of my all-time favorite drummers."

Sal & Father, Seleno Clarke NYC.  Sal's dad Seleno has been a mentor to many musicians for over 50 years in New York City including George Benson, Joey DeFrancisco, Eric Alexander, Mike Leone and many many more.  He celebrates 85 years of age on Sep 30th, 2015 and still maintains a rigorous performing schedule in New York City.

Father & Son

Sal & Father, Seleno Clarke NYC. Sal's dad Seleno has been a mentor to many musicians for over 50 years in New York City including George Benson, Joey DeFrancisco, Eric Alexander, Mike Leone and many many more. He celebrates 85 years of age on Sep 30th, 2015 and still maintains a rigorous performing schedule in New York City.

Sal shakes David Baker's hand.  David instructed many of the greats including Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine and Jamey Aebersole just to name a few.

David Baker & Sal

Sal shakes David Baker's hand. David instructed many of the greats including Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine and Jamey Aebersole just to name a few.

Sal hanging out recently with George Benson and Jeffrey Osborne, two living legends.  George is like an uncle to Sal and a 10 time grammy award winner.  He is the ultimate entertainer with true jazz bebop roots.  He cut his teeth in the musical trenches of Pittsburgh and New York in the 60's proving himself in extremely challenging music arenas.  Jeffrey Osborne is yet another amazing artist.  He had early success with the group LTD.  His solo career endowed him with 3 grammys  and 5 gold and platinum albums.  He was formerly a drummer and the youngest of 12 children.  His father performed with  Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington.

George Benson, Sal & Jeffrey Osborne

Sal hanging out recently with George Benson and Jeffrey Osborne, two living legends. George is like an uncle to Sal and a 10 time grammy award winner. He is the ultimate entertainer with true jazz bebop roots. He cut his teeth in the musical trenches of Pittsburgh and New York in the 60's proving himself in extremely challenging music arenas. Jeffrey Osborne is yet another amazing artist. He had early success with the group LTD. His solo career endowed him with 3 grammys and 5 gold and platinum albums. He was formerly a drummer and the youngest of 12 children. His father performed with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington.

Grammy award winner John Clayton & Sal.  John Clayton has performed and recorded with a number of people including Henry Mancini TV series, Count Basie, Diana Krall.  He has written for Natalie Cole, Tonight Show Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, and many many more.  His son, Gerald Clayton, an accomplished pianist, placed second in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition in 2006.

John Clayton & Sal

Grammy award winner John Clayton & Sal. John Clayton has performed and recorded with a number of people including Henry Mancini TV series, Count Basie, Diana Krall. He has written for Natalie Cole, Tonight Show Orchestra, Nancy Wilson, and many many more. His son, Gerald Clayton, an accomplished pianist, placed second in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano Competition in 2006.

Wayne Shorter and Sal (SFO)

Wayne & Sal

Wayne Shorter and Sal (SFO)

Mulgrew Miller's brother Posey Miller in Atlanta with bassist Tommy Sauter after concert.

Posey Miller ALOMA Concert

Mulgrew Miller's brother Posey Miller in Atlanta with bassist Tommy Sauter after concert.

Jamey Aebersold and Sal at the 2014 Jen Conference Dallas, TX.  Jamey has been a jazz educator for almost 50 years.  He has a series of what is called "Play-Alongs".  These are recordings of bands who play background music for musicians to practice various elements of jazz.  He now has over 133 records available to practice along with.  Many well-known artist credit Jamey with helping enhance their musical studies.  Sal was the recipient of a  Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop scholarship at age 15 in Louisville, KY.  There he was fortunate enough to sit under the tutelage of Dave Liebman.

Sal & Jamey Aebersold

Jamey Aebersold and Sal at the 2014 Jen Conference Dallas, TX. Jamey has been a jazz educator for almost 50 years. He has a series of what is called "Play-Alongs". These are recordings of bands who play background music for musicians to practice various elements of jazz. He now has over 133 records available to practice along with. Many well-known artist credit Jamey with helping enhance their musical studies. Sal was the recipient of a Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop scholarship at age 15 in Louisville, KY. There he was fortunate enough to sit under the tutelage of Dave Liebman.

Bob Mintzer performs at fundraiser.  "Bob is my mentor and really close friend."  Bob Mintzer's accomplishments are too numerous to describe on this slide.  He is a 20+ year member of the grammy award winning group "The YellowJackets" and also has maintained an accomplished and grammy winning Big Band.  He heads up the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.  He is an amazing soloist, composer and educator.  "Most of all, he is one of the most humble people you will ever meet.  I am blessed to have him as a friend, mentor and teacher."

Bob & Sal

Bob Mintzer performs at fundraiser. "Bob is my mentor and really close friend." Bob Mintzer's accomplishments are too numerous to describe on this slide. He is a 20+ year member of the grammy award winning group "The YellowJackets" and also has maintained an accomplished and grammy winning Big Band. He heads up the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. He is an amazing soloist, composer and educator. "Most of all, he is one of the most humble people you will ever meet. I am blessed to have him as a friend, mentor and teacher."

YellowJackets' Bassist - Felix Pastorius, and Drummer-Will Kennedy at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA.  The YellowJackets is an amazing group and features Sal's friend and mentor BoB Mintzer.  They are in demand and perform regularly around the globe.

Felix, Sal & Will

YellowJackets' Bassist - Felix Pastorius, and Drummer-Will Kennedy at Yoshi's in Oakland, CA. The YellowJackets is an amazing group and features Sal's friend and mentor BoB Mintzer. They are in demand and perform regularly around the globe.

Yolanda Adams and Sal (Cabos - LAX)

Yolanda & Sal

Yolanda Adams and Sal (Cabos - LAX)

Getting caught up.  Sal hanging out recently with George Benson and Jeffrey Osborne, two living legends.  George is like an uncle to Sal and a 10 time grammy award winner.  He is the ultimate entertainer with true jazz bebop roots.  He cut his teeth in the musical trenches of Pittsburgh and New York in the 60's proving himself in extremely challenging music arenas.  Jeffrey Osborne is yet another amazing artist.  He had early success with the group LTD.  His solo career endowed him with 3 grammys  and 5 gold and platinum albums.  He was formerly a drummer and the youngest of 12 children.  His father performed with  Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington.

George Benson, Sal, & Jeffrey Osborne

Getting caught up. Sal hanging out recently with George Benson and Jeffrey Osborne, two living legends. George is like an uncle to Sal and a 10 time grammy award winner. He is the ultimate entertainer with true jazz bebop roots. He cut his teeth in the musical trenches of Pittsburgh and New York in the 60's proving himself in extremely challenging music arenas. Jeffrey Osborne is yet another amazing artist. He had early success with the group LTD. His solo career endowed him with 3 grammys and 5 gold and platinum albums. He was formerly a drummer and the youngest of 12 children. His father performed with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington.

Friends and Family Sal’s Wife & Inspiration
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