Joe Locke
Encyclopedia
Joseph Paul Locke is a US American
jazz
vibraphonist
, composer
, recording artist and educator.
, but raised in Rochester, New York
. A self-taught improviser, he benefited from his early studies in classical percussion and composition at the Eastman School of Music
with John Beck, Gordon Stout, Ted Moore and David Mancini.
The critical community continually cites Joe Locke for his artistic work. "There seems little doubt that Locke, with his ability to play cool and funky, heady and relaxed, is set to become the pre-eminent vibraphonist in jazz." (The Times, London) Joe has been voted the #1 vibist in DownBeat Magazine's Critic's Poll (TDWR) and Brazil's International Jazz Poll. Locke has recorded 20 CDs as a band leader, including the critically acclaimed "Moment to Moment", a tribute to the music of Henry Mancini
. As producer and as a sideman, he appears on more than 65 recordings.
As a jazz musician, Locke was precocious, having played with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie
, Pepper Adams
and Mongo Santamaría
before he was even out of high school. Since moving to New York City in 1981, Joe has performed with Grover Washington, Jr.
, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves
, Eddie Daniels
, Jerry Gonzales' Fort Apache Band, Rod Stewart
, Beastie Boys
, Eddie Henderson, Hiram Bullock, Bob Berg
, Ron Carter
, Jimmie Scott, Geoffrey Keezer, The Mingus Big Band and Randy Brecker, among many others. Joe has toured extensively throughout the world, both as leader and guest soloist. Some highlights include a 16 city tour of Russia, which culminated in a concert with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of world-renowned violist, Yuri Bashmet
; a 30 city tour of all major capitals of Europe, performing Charles Mingus
' magnum opus, "Epitaph" as a featured soloist under the direction of distinguished conductor, Gunther Schuller; a series of volcanic duet concerts in Italy with pianist Cecil Taylor
, where Joe went head-to-head for three nights with the undisputed high priest of the avante-garde.
In 2006, 2008 and 2009 Joe Locke received the "Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year" Award, presented by the Jazz Journalist Association (JJA).
's "Storms/Nocturnes" Trio, which also features pianist Geoffrey Keezer and, perhaps most importantly, one of Locke's most recent group projects, "4 Walls of Freedom", which has released two albums to great critical acclaim. In 2004 Scottish saxophonist and educator, Tommy Smith
replaced the late Bob Berg
for the band's second recording Dear Life.
With these projects Locke has completely transcended his past reputation as a fine post bop instrumentalist, demonstrating a more complete musical picture that includes everything from melodic chamber jazz to intensely personal compositions that bridge the gap between post bop and a more lyrical contemporary style.
Following six albums for SteepleChase, resulting from his work with Eddie Henderson
, Locke moved to Milestone for three albums: "Sound Tracks", "Moment to Moment" and "Slander and Other Love Songs", all featuring pianist Billy Childs and drummer Gene Jackson.
In 1998 Locke recorded a duet record with Frank Kimbrough, Saturn's Child Interestingly enough, the follow-up to "Saturn's Child", "The Willow" (Omnitone Records), found Locke and Kimbrough expanding the sonic palette by adding Tim Ries on woodwinds and Jeff Ballard on hand percussion. Prestigious collaborations with such fine pianists like Kenny Barron and David Hazeltine ("Mutual Admiration Society
") equally resulted in critically acclaimed recordings.
In 2000, Locke recorded his first album with Sirocco Records and continued to record for his unique groups such as Storytelling, and "4 Walls of Freedom" and as a member of the Storms/Nocturnes Trio, with Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer. The concept for the band Storytelling came out of meeting vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Mark Ledford in '86 and produced two, vocal based recordings, that featured Joe as a composer and lyricist: "Storytelling" and "State of Soul".
The Storms/Nocturnes Trio so far resulted in two critically acclaimed recordings and numerous tours: 2001's "Storms/Nocturnes" and 2003's "Rising Tide". Joe Locke, Geoffrey Keezer and Tim Garland reunited in 2010 for a select series of concert in Europe.
In 2004/2005 Joe teamed up again with pianist Geoffrey Keezer for two recordings on the Eighty Eight's label (Sony Music): "Summer Knows" and "Summertime". Completing the "New Sound Quartet" are bassist Bob Hurst and Billy Kilson
on drums. Joe has also been working intensively with fellow Vibes and Marimba artist Christos Rafalides, resulting in the successful Locke/Rafalides Duo and Education Project, including the celebrated recording: "Van Gogh by Numbers
", released on Wire Walker.
Other recordings in recent years have found him guesting with Russell Malone, Eddie Higgins, Vic Juris, The New York Quartet (featuring Billy Childs, Idris Muhammed and Cameron Brown), Tim Garland's Storms/Nocturnes chamber trio and vocalist Dianne Reeves
. While maintaining a busy touring schedule, Locke also finds time to work with student ensembles and compose for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and the Jazz Band Classic of the New York Youth Symphony. In 2008, Joe was appointed International Vibraphone Consultant by the Royal Academy of Music
, London - a position which he holds on a visiting basis.
One of Joe Locke's most exciting work to date includes the first US release of the Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group. "Live in Seattle" - featuring Mike Pope and Terreon Gully, was recorded 2005 at the Ballard Jazz Festival and was released in July 2006 on the Origin label. His recent recording, "Sticks and Strings" (MusicEyes) - featuring Jonathan Kreisberg, Jay Anderson and Joe LaBarbera - was released in November 2007 during an extensive and well received tour of Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain).
In 2008 Joe put together the unique new quartet, Force of Four by gathering the young talents and distinct musical personalities of Robert Rodriguez (piano), Johnathan Blake (drums) and Ricardo Rodriguez (bass), building this fresh sounding ensemble. The influences of New York, Cuba, Philadelphia and Puerto Rico, as well as the many places traveled by these four player/composers, come together in this group; their first recording, "Force of Four" (Origin) becoming an overwhelming success.
2010 marked Joe Locke's return to incorporating vocals into his music. The E1 Music recording "For The Love of You" of the Joe Locke Group features the inspirational voice of singer Kenny Washington, plus an all star band: Geoffrey Keezer, George Mraz and Clarence Penn.
Sources: discography on www.joelocke.com, discography by Noal Cohen
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
vibraphonist
Vibraphonist
Notable players of the vibraphone include:* Peter Appleyard* Roy Ayers* Karl Berger* Jeff Berman* Jack Brokensha* Larry Bunker* Christian Burchard* Rusty Burge* Gary Burton* Joe Chambers* Teddy Charles* Salem Chiles* John Cocuzzi* Monte Croft...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, recording artist and educator.
Biography
Locke was born in Palo Alto, CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, but raised in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
. A self-taught improviser, he benefited from his early studies in classical percussion and composition at the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
with John Beck, Gordon Stout, Ted Moore and David Mancini.
The critical community continually cites Joe Locke for his artistic work. "There seems little doubt that Locke, with his ability to play cool and funky, heady and relaxed, is set to become the pre-eminent vibraphonist in jazz." (The Times, London) Joe has been voted the #1 vibist in DownBeat Magazine's Critic's Poll (TDWR) and Brazil's International Jazz Poll. Locke has recorded 20 CDs as a band leader, including the critically acclaimed "Moment to Moment", a tribute to the music of Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini
Henry Mancini was an American composer, conductor and arranger, best remembered for his film and television scores. He won a record number of Grammy Awards , plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 1995...
. As producer and as a sideman, he appears on more than 65 recordings.
As a jazz musician, Locke was precocious, having played with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
, Pepper Adams
Pepper Adams
Park Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
and Mongo Santamaría
Mongo Santamaría
Ramón "Mongo" Santamaría Rodríguez was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue," recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All...
before he was even out of high school. Since moving to New York City in 1981, Joe has performed with Grover Washington, Jr.
Grover Washington, Jr.
Grover Washington, Jr. was an American jazz-funk / soul-jazz saxophonist. Along with George Benson, John Klemmer, David Sanborn, Bob James, Chuck Mangione, Herb Alpert, and Spyro Gyra, he is considered by many to be one of the founders of the smooth jazz genre.He wrote some of his material and...
, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves is an American jazz singer. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.-Early life:Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan to a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, is a...
, Eddie Daniels
Eddie Daniels
Eddie Daniels is an American musician. Though he is best known as a jazz clarinet player, he has also played alto and tenor saxophones, as well as classical music on the clarinet....
, Jerry Gonzales' Fort Apache Band, Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart, CBE is a British singer-songwriter and musician, born and raised in North London, England and currently residing in Epping. He is of Scottish and English ancestry....
, Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
, Eddie Henderson, Hiram Bullock, Bob Berg
Bob Berg
Bob Berg was a jazz saxophonist originally from Brooklyn, New York City. He started his musical education at the age of six when he began studying classical piano. He began playing the saxophone at the age of thirteen. Bob Berg was a Juilliard graduate influenced heavily by the late 1964–67 period...
, Ron Carter
Ron Carter
Ron Carter is an American jazz double-bassist. His appearances on over 2,500 albums make him one of the most-recorded bassists in jazz history, along with Milt Hinton, Ray Brown and Leroy Vinnegar. Carter is also an acclaimed cellist who has recorded numerous times on that...
, Jimmie Scott, Geoffrey Keezer, The Mingus Big Band and Randy Brecker, among many others. Joe has toured extensively throughout the world, both as leader and guest soloist. Some highlights include a 16 city tour of Russia, which culminated in a concert with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of world-renowned violist, Yuri Bashmet
Yuri Bashmet
Yuri Abramovich Bashmet is a Russian conductor and violist.Direct patrilineal descendant of Besht.-Biography:Yuri Bashmet was born on 24 January 1953 in Rostov-on-Don in the family of Abram Borisovich Bashmet and Maya Zinovyeva Bashmet . "Father's mother, Tsilya Efimovna, studied singing at the...
; a 30 city tour of all major capitals of Europe, performing Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. was an American jazz musician, composer, bandleader, and civil rights activist.Mingus's compositions retained the hot and soulful feel of hard bop and drew heavily from black gospel music while sometimes drawing on elements of Third stream, free jazz, and classical music...
' magnum opus, "Epitaph" as a featured soloist under the direction of distinguished conductor, Gunther Schuller; a series of volcanic duet concerts in Italy with pianist Cecil Taylor
Cecil Taylor
Cecil Percival Taylor is an American pianist and poet. Classically trained, Taylor is generally acknowledged as one of the pioneers of free jazz. His music is characterized by an extremely energetic, physical approach, producing complex improvised sounds, frequently involving tone clusters and...
, where Joe went head-to-head for three nights with the undisputed high priest of the avante-garde.
In 2006, 2008 and 2009 Joe Locke received the "Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year" Award, presented by the Jazz Journalist Association (JJA).
Projects
Joe Locke has been on the scene for over twenty years, though it is only in the past decade that his name has begun to reach a broader audience. This is in no small part due to his participation in two seminal groups: British reed player Tim GarlandTim Garland
Tim Garland is a British jazz saxophonist, composer and band-leader. He is also known for his innovative bass clarinet playing and for his prolific output as composer, blurring the boundaries between modern jazz and classical concert music.As a performer, he has worked widely both in Britain and...
's "Storms/Nocturnes" Trio, which also features pianist Geoffrey Keezer and, perhaps most importantly, one of Locke's most recent group projects, "4 Walls of Freedom", which has released two albums to great critical acclaim. In 2004 Scottish saxophonist and educator, Tommy Smith
Tommy Smith (saxophonist)
Tommy Smith is a jazz saxophonist, composer and educator. The late jazz critic Richard Cook said of him, 'Of the generation which emerged in the mid-80s, he might be the most outstandingly talented'.-Biography:...
replaced the late Bob Berg
Bob Berg
Bob Berg was a jazz saxophonist originally from Brooklyn, New York City. He started his musical education at the age of six when he began studying classical piano. He began playing the saxophone at the age of thirteen. Bob Berg was a Juilliard graduate influenced heavily by the late 1964–67 period...
for the band's second recording Dear Life.
Following six albums for SteepleChase, resulting from his work with Eddie Henderson
Eddie Henderson (musician)
Eddie Henderson is an American jazz trumpet and flugelhorn player. Henderson's influences include Booker Little, Clifford Brown, Woody Shaw and Miles Davis.-Family influence and early music history:...
, Locke moved to Milestone for three albums: "Sound Tracks", "Moment to Moment" and "Slander and Other Love Songs", all featuring pianist Billy Childs and drummer Gene Jackson.
In 1998 Locke recorded a duet record with Frank Kimbrough, Saturn's Child Interestingly enough, the follow-up to "Saturn's Child", "The Willow" (Omnitone Records), found Locke and Kimbrough expanding the sonic palette by adding Tim Ries on woodwinds and Jeff Ballard on hand percussion. Prestigious collaborations with such fine pianists like Kenny Barron and David Hazeltine ("Mutual Admiration Society
Mutual Admiration Society - Joe Locke & David Hazeltine Quartet
Mutual Admiration Society is an album released by Joe Locke and the David Hazeltine Quartet in 1999.-Album information:Original release date: June 29, 1999...
") equally resulted in critically acclaimed recordings.
In 2000, Locke recorded his first album with Sirocco Records and continued to record for his unique groups such as Storytelling, and "4 Walls of Freedom" and as a member of the Storms/Nocturnes Trio, with Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer. The concept for the band Storytelling came out of meeting vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Mark Ledford in '86 and produced two, vocal based recordings, that featured Joe as a composer and lyricist: "Storytelling" and "State of Soul".
The Storms/Nocturnes Trio so far resulted in two critically acclaimed recordings and numerous tours: 2001's "Storms/Nocturnes" and 2003's "Rising Tide". Joe Locke, Geoffrey Keezer and Tim Garland reunited in 2010 for a select series of concert in Europe.
In 2004/2005 Joe teamed up again with pianist Geoffrey Keezer for two recordings on the Eighty Eight's label (Sony Music): "Summer Knows" and "Summertime". Completing the "New Sound Quartet" are bassist Bob Hurst and Billy Kilson
Billy Kilson
William Earl "Billy" Kilson is an American jazz drummer.Kilson was born in Washington, D.C.. He started on trumpet at ten, switched to trombone at 11, then to drums at 16. He studied at the Berklee College of Music from 1980 to 1985 and took private lessons from Alan Dawson during 1982-89...
on drums. Joe has also been working intensively with fellow Vibes and Marimba artist Christos Rafalides, resulting in the successful Locke/Rafalides Duo and Education Project, including the celebrated recording: "Van Gogh by Numbers
Van Gogh by Numbers
Van Gogh by Numbers is an album featuring Joe Locke and Christos Rafalides on vibraphone and marimba, respectively. It was released November 4, 2005 for Wire Walker, with the CD launch at the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Convention....
", released on Wire Walker.
Other recordings in recent years have found him guesting with Russell Malone, Eddie Higgins, Vic Juris, The New York Quartet (featuring Billy Childs, Idris Muhammed and Cameron Brown), Tim Garland's Storms/Nocturnes chamber trio and vocalist Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves
Dianne Reeves is an American jazz singer. She currently lives in Denver, Colorado.-Early life:Reeves was born in Detroit, Michigan to a very musical family. Her father, who died when she was two years old, was also a singer. Her mother, Vada Swanson, played trumpet. A cousin, George Duke, is a...
. While maintaining a busy touring schedule, Locke also finds time to work with student ensembles and compose for the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra and the Jazz Band Classic of the New York Youth Symphony. In 2008, Joe was appointed International Vibraphone Consultant by the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, London - a position which he holds on a visiting basis.
One of Joe Locke's most exciting work to date includes the first US release of the Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group. "Live in Seattle" - featuring Mike Pope and Terreon Gully, was recorded 2005 at the Ballard Jazz Festival and was released in July 2006 on the Origin label. His recent recording, "Sticks and Strings" (MusicEyes) - featuring Jonathan Kreisberg, Jay Anderson and Joe LaBarbera - was released in November 2007 during an extensive and well received tour of Europe (Germany, Italy, Spain).
In 2008 Joe put together the unique new quartet, Force of Four by gathering the young talents and distinct musical personalities of Robert Rodriguez (piano), Johnathan Blake (drums) and Ricardo Rodriguez (bass), building this fresh sounding ensemble. The influences of New York, Cuba, Philadelphia and Puerto Rico, as well as the many places traveled by these four player/composers, come together in this group; their first recording, "Force of Four" (Origin) becoming an overwhelming success.
2010 marked Joe Locke's return to incorporating vocals into his music. The E1 Music recording "For The Love of You" of the Joe Locke Group features the inspirational voice of singer Kenny Washington, plus an all star band: Geoffrey Keezer, George Mraz and Clarence Penn.
Quotes about Joe Locke
- "Joe Locke's crystalline tone has a warm glow around the edges, which suits the shape of his improvisations to perfection." —Dave Gelly, The Guardian (GB)
- "Joe Locke's playing and writing have been an absolute joy to this vibist's ears that have been starving to hear a player who challenges himself on every tune. Joe is constantly pushing the envelope musically. The cat is going into orbit soon .... I love it!" —Mike Mainieri
- "In the select group of contemporary vibes players, Locke has claims to head the list." —Penguin Encyclopedia of Jazz
- "Not only has he mastered an instrument that has catapulted only a handful of players to the forefront of modern jazz - but he has done so in a way that transcends mere technique and establishes him as a unique and adventurous musical voice." —Derk Richardson San Francisco Bay Guardian
Recent awards
- 2009 - JJA Award - "2009 Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year"
- 2008 - JJA Award - "2008 Mallet Player of the Year"
- 2008 - Golden Ear Award - "2007 Concert of the Year" (Joe Locke at Port Townsend Jazz Festival)
- 2006 - JJA Award - "2006 Mallet Player of the Year"
- 2006 - Golden Ear Award - "2005 Concert of the Year" (Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group at Ballard Jazz Festival)
Selected discography
- 2010 - For The Love Of You – w/ Geoffrey Keezer, George Mraz, Clarence Penn and vocalist Kenny Washington (E1 Music)
- 2009 - Mutual Admiration Society 2 – w/ David Hazeltine (SharpNine)
- 2008 - Force of Four – Joe Locke (Origin)
- 2008 - Verrazano Moon – Joe Locke / Frank Kimbrough (Ominitone)
- 2008 - Live at JazzBaltica – Trio Da Paz & Joe Locke (MAXJAZZ)
- 2007 - Sticks & Strings – Joe Locke Quartet (MusicEyes)
- 2006 - Live in Seattle – Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group (Origin)
- 2006 - Fallen Angel – w/ Bob Sneider (Sons of Sound)
- 2005 - Van Gogh by NumbersVan Gogh by NumbersVan Gogh by Numbers is an album featuring Joe Locke and Christos Rafalides on vibraphone and marimba, respectively. It was released November 4, 2005 for Wire Walker, with the CD launch at the 2005 Percussive Arts Society International Convention....
– w/ Christos Rafalides (Wire Walker) - 2005 - Rev.elation – A Milt Jackson Tribute (Sharp Nine Records)
- 2005 - Summertime – w/ Geoff Keezer (Eighty Eight's / Sony Music)
- 2004 - Summer Knows – w/ Geoff Keezer (Eighty Eight's / Sony Music)
- 2004 - Dear Life - Joe Locke & 4 Walls Of Freedom (Sirocco Music)
- 2003 - 4 Walls Of Freedom - Joe Locke & 4 Walls Of Freedom (Sirocco Music)
- 2002 - State Of Soul - (Sirocco Music)
- 2001 - Storytelling - (Sirocco Music)
- 2001 - The Willow - w/ Frank Kimbrough (OmniTone)
- 2001 - Beauty Burning - (Sirocco Music)
- 1999 - Mutual Admiration SocietyMutual Admiration Society - Joe Locke & David Hazeltine QuartetMutual Admiration Society is an album released by Joe Locke and the David Hazeltine Quartet in 1999.-Album information:Original release date: June 29, 1999...
- w/ David Hazletine Quartet (SharpNine) - 1999 - Saturn's Child - w/ Frank Kimbrough (OmniTone)
- 1998 - Slander and other Love Songs - (Milestone)
- 1997 - Sound Tracks - (Milestone)
- 1996 - Inner Space - (Steeplechase)
- 1995 - Moment To Moment - (Milestone)
- 1995 - Very Early - (Steeplechase)
- 1993 - Wirewalker (Steeplechase)
- 1991 - But Beautiful - w/ Kenny Barron - (Steeplechase)
- 1991 - Longing - (Steeplechase)
- 1990 - Present Tense - (Milestone)
Sources: discography on www.joelocke.com, discography by Noal Cohen