Theon Cross

Theon Cross is a composer and tuba player who has been redefining the role of the instrument in modern jazz through his work with Moses Boyd's Exodus and Sons of Kemet, among others, as well as his solo work, which remains mostly in the same stylistic zone as the overall flavor of nu jazz that has been coming out of the London scene. It is funky, rhythmically a combination of Caribbean, African, and Latin influences, and with some infusion of grime and other contemporary sounds. In addition to providing the bass line at the low end, he is Cross also has a strong melodic side that comes through very clearly. His 2021 work, Intra-I, finds him exploring electronic music, setting his riffs against programmed beats that are often paired with conversational interludes or rap style vocals.