Joe Locke (musician)

Joseph Paul Locke (born March 18, 1959) is an American jazz vibraphonist.

Joe Locke
Background information
Birth nameJoseph Paul Locke
Born (1959-03-18) March 18, 1959
Palo Alto, California, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Vibraphone
Years active1981–present
LabelsSteepleChase, Milestone, Sharp Nine, Sirocco, Origin, Motema

Life and career

A native of Palo Alto, California, Locke grew up in Rochester, New York.[1] His father taught music.[1] When Locke was eight years old he began learning drums and piano, then started on vibraphone five years later.[1][2] After playing in rock bands, he became attracted to jazz in his teen years[3] and attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.[1]

In 1981, he moved to New York City and worked as a sideman for Kenny Barron,[2] Freddy Cole, Marvin Smith,[1] and Eddie Henderson.[3] For influences, he has cited Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson.[1][2][3] His first solo album, Present Tense, was released by Steeplechase in 1990.[1] He started the band Mutual Appreciation Society in 1999 with David Hazeltine, Essiet Essiet, and Billy Drummond and has recorded frequently with pianist Geoff Keezer.[1] His album Four Walls of Freedom was based on the writings of Thomas Merton.[1]

In 2016, he was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in Rochester.[1] Joe Locke is the International Vibraphone Consultant at the Royal Academy of Music and holds the title of Hon ARAM.[4] He has won the Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association on six occasions.[1]

Discography

As leader

  • Present Tense (SteepleChase, 1990)
  • Scenario (Cadence Jazz, 1987)
  • But Beautiful with Kenny Barron (SteepleChase, 1991)
  • Longing (SteepleChase, 1991)
  • Wire Walker (SteepleChase, 1993)
  • Moment to Moment (Milestone, 1995)
  • Very Early (SteepleChase, 1995)
  • Sound Tracks (Milestone, 1997)
  • Mutual Admiration Society with David Hazeltine (Sharp Nine, 1999)
  • Saturn's Child with Frank Kimbrough (OmniTone, 1999)
  • Beauty Burning (Sirocco, 2000)
  • Storytelling (Sirocco, 2001)
  • State of Soul (Sirocco, 2002)
  • The Willow with Frank Kimbrough (OmniTone, 2002)
  • Four Walls of Freedom (Sirocco, 2003)
  • Dear Life (Sirocco, 2004)
  • Revelation (Sharp Nine, 2005)
  • Live in Seatlle with Geoff Keezer (Sharp Nine, 2005)
  • Sticks and Strings (Jazz Eyes, 2007)
  • Force of Four (Origin, 2008)
  • Live at JazzBaltica with Trio Da Paz (MAXJAZZ, 2008)
  • Mutual Admiration Society 2 with David Hazeltine (Sharp Nine, 2009)
  • Nocturne for Ava with Bob Sneider (Origin, 2009)
  • For the Love of You (E1, 2010)
  • Via (Origin, 2011)
  • Signing (Motema, 2012)
  • Wish Upon A Star (Motema, 2012)
  • Lay Down My Heart (Motema, 2013)
  • Love Is a Pendulum (Motema, 2015)
  • Subtle Disguise (Origin, 2018)
  • Makram (Circle 9, 2023)

References

  1. Collar, Matt. "Joe Locke". AllMusic. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  2. Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (2007). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press. p. 418. ISBN 978-0-19-507418-5.
  3. Zimmerman, Brian (14 January 2019). "Q&A with Vibraphonist Joe Locke: Between the Heart and Mind". JAZZIZ Magazine. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
  4. "Joe Locke". Royal Academy of Music. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.