Timothy Croft 
B.Mus., B.Ed., M.Mus.

     Victoria B.C. bassist Tim Croft has toured much of the country and has played everything from cruise ships to concert halls. 
     Since arriving on the west coast in 2010, Tim has been very active and can be found playing nearly every week anywhere between Port Hardy and Victoria. He has performed in numerous festivals, including:  The Victoria Djangofest, The Victoria Jazz Festival, The Victoria Francophone Festival, The Rifflandia Festival, The Gabriola Island Music Festival, Nashville Boogie, Kustom Kulture and The Montreal Jazz Festival..  
     He has also had the privilege of sharing the stage with such great artists as: Kid Koala, Daniel Lapp, Phil Dwyer, Donny McCaslin, Denis Chang, Marc Atkinson and Quinn Bachand.
     His collaboration with gypsy jazz guitarist Brett Martens has been gathering attention on Canada's west coast. The Brett Martens String Band's first album, engineered and produced by Canadian gypsy jazz icon Marc Atkinson, is: "a swinging collection of standards and originals sure to make your finger's snap and your foot stomp." 
     His latest project continues in the Gypsy Jazz (Manouche) tradition.  Le Hot Club des Insulaires (The Islanders Hot Club) has been entertaining fans since 2019 and have performed at many Francophone events and concerts around Victoria.  The group highlights Tim and his double bass playing.  French being Tim's first language, it seemed natural that he would also be featured as one of the band's singers (singing en français!).  With modern twists on French music (from France, Canada and beyond), the virtuosity of these seasoned professionals is sure not to disappoint.  
     The group began recording their debut album in January 2022.  The recording features west coast gypsy jazz legends: Marc Atkinson and Daniel Lapp.  Atkinson is also doubling as the album’s producer and sound engineer.  A release date for summer 2022 is expected.
     As an educator Tim has taught theory and been a peer tutor as well as lectured in jazz appreciation classes, all at the collegial level. He has also taught at numerous music camps in Canada and the US,   including CYMC; one of the leading and longest running music camp's in Canada.   
     Tim teaches double bass privately but is also in demand as a clinician and early music educator. He is currently on faculty at the Victoria Conservatory of Music and also teaches music for School District 62, in Victoria, BC.
     As well as having a Masters in Music (jazz cognate) from Western Michigan University, Tim also obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies (performance) from Toronto’s Humber College and a Bachelor's of Education from Simon Fraser University.
     He has had the privilege of studying with some of the continents leading musicians and educators including: Neil Swainson, Russ Botten, Mike Downes, Don Thompson, Pat Lababera, Ken Lister,
Rene Worst, Marc Denis, Scott Colley, Pat Collins, Mary Rainie, Scott Cowan, Tom Knific and Michel Donato.
Photos by Zsofin Sheeny.