Ed Croft

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House will present a special holiday program featuring the Ed Croft Trio performing Vince Guaraldi’s complete score to A Charlie Brown Christmas on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Due to the continued high positivity rate of COVID in Chautauqua County, and in accordance with village, state and CDC guidelines, the opera house requires patrons to wear masks before, during and after events.

Croft started his career playing in the New York City subways with famed blues musician Carolina Slim. From there, he began playing local shows with his rockabilly band, The Moonshiners. Upon graduating from high school, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in music education from the State University at Fredonia, which he completed in 2013. It was at SUNY Fredonia that Croft had the chance to perform and study with local legends such as Tom Gestwicki, John Bacon, Bruce Johnstone, and more, including an orchestral concert with Yo Yo Ma. Before he’d completed his studies at Fredonia, he began a career as a touring musician starting with two years traveling with Celtic rock band The Town Pants, and touring for another two years with bluegrass band The Jakobs Ferry Stragglers.

In between national shows, music festivals, and local showcases, Croft received his master’s degree from Bowling Green State University where he studied under Jeff Halsey, David Bixler, and Chris Buzzeli. He also was able to perform with Mike Stern, Dave Samuels (of Spyro Gyro fame), Gary Smulyan, Tim Hagans, Jimmy Heath, and Conrad Herwig during his time in Ohio.

Now, Croft resides in Buffalo. As a freelance bassist, he has performed with Buffalo jazz greats Darryl Washington, Greg Millar, Rey Scott, and Bobby Jones. He has also shared the stage with Buffalo Music Hall of Famers such as Doug Yeomans, Mary Ramsey, Ray Hangen and Joe Rozler.

In December 2017, Croft became one of the founding members of The Tim Clarke Soul-tet. This ensemble presents rarely heard soul jazz classics, along with original compositions that expand on the genre’s tradition.

Croft won the 2018 JazzBuffalo Poll for Best Acoustic Upright Bassist (a repeat win from 2017), Rising Star, and the John Hunt Jazz Artist of the Year awards. The results of these awards are decided on by residents of Buffalo and Western New York.

Tickets for the Ed Croft Trio’s A Charlie Brown Christmas concert are $10 for adults, $5 for students, and may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 679-1891 Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center