Seleno “Sal” Crocker is a rare breed: an award-winning saxophonist and a professional airline pilot, both at the same time. Born in New York City and raised in Memphis, Sal picked up the tenor saxophone at age ten and never looked back. His career has taken him to stages alongside The Temptations, Kenny Loggins, Freddie Hubbard, and many more. Deeply influenced by John Coltrane, Grover Washington, and Michael Brecker, Sal brings a soulful, intellectual depth to every performance. He currently studies with Grammy winner Bob Mintzer in Los Angeles, with jazz firmly at the center of his life’s work.

BIO

Seleno “Sal” Crocker manages TWO very successful careers during one lifetime. Along with being an award-winning Saxophonist, this artist also serves as a successful major airline pilot for the last 27 years. Yes, Sal has managed to equally master his Mark VI and the Airbus at the same time. Growing up, Sal always had a desire to fly but, once he picked up the saxophone at age 10, he defined his two passions: Flying and the Saxophone. So, instead of choosing one career over the other, he decided to tackle them both, simultaneously.

Born in New York City October 29, 1965, Sal moved to Memphis at the early age of four. While growing up in Memphis, the musical city exposed him to a rich heritage of music covering a broad and wide spectrum.

At 10 years old, Sal began playing the tenor saxophone under the direction of noted saxophonist and studio musician Jim “JT” Terry. JT set the bar extremely high for Sal at a young age. He worked tirelessly developing a diligent work ethic that would afford him the luxury of having two parallel careers.

In the process of mastering his studies as a musician and airline pilot, at the tender age of 18, Sal reunited with his father musically on jazz festivals and cruises. He performed on the same billing with many greats such as Freddie Hubbard, Lou Donaldson, Etta James, Gerald Albright, Arthur Prysock, Charles Erlin and many more. Over the coming
years, Sal found himself wearing many musical genre hats; performing music from R&B and pop to gospel to jazz. He played with artist such as the Diamonds, Marvels, Angels, Platters, The Temptations, James Williams, Phineas Newborn, Mulgrew Miller,
Dinah Shore, Kenny Loggins and more, but realized jazz was his true passion.

“| have a lot to prove musically now that I’m giving music my undivided attention this late in the game” he states. “I don’t want people to view me as a great pilot with a saxophone hobby. | want people to recognize that | am a great saxophonist who just happens to be a pilot. | have dedicated my entire life to the craft of music”.

Sal Crocker has been characterized as a blend of soul and intellect. Jimmy Heath states, “Sal has the sound of music. He knows the meaning of music.”

His music brings a wealth of soulful, spiritual and intellectual insights from a unique place. This is evident through his performances, where he frequently draws from his influences such as Bob Mintzer, Grover Washington, John Coltrane, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Dexter Gordon, Michael Brecker, Miles Davis, Eliane Elias, Don Grolnic, Joe Henderson and Kenny Garrett just to name a few.

Currently Sal studies with Grammy Award Winner and Yellow Jackets saxophonist Bob Mintzer in Los Angeles, CA who is also head of Jazz Studies at University of Southern California.