Primary Instrument: Piano
Joe LoCascio, a native New Yorker, has resided in Houston since 1977. A prolific performer/composer, he has twelve recordings to his credit, many of them having attained prominent radio airplay nationally and abroad. He has performed and/or recorded with jazz luminaries such as Chet Baker, Freddie Hubbard, Dave Liebman, Randy Brecker, Ernie Watts, Tim Hagans, Conrad Herwig, Marvin Stamm, George Coleman, and George Mraz among others. Jazz critics nationwide have acclaimed him as one of the finest artists on the contemporary scene.
He is currently Assistant Chairman of Jazz Studies at Houston Community College where he teaches Piano, Jazz History, Jazz Ensemble and Improvisation Theory (follow this link to view syllabi).
LoCascio performs and records with his trio. He also performs and records with saxophonists Woody Witt and Warren Sneed.
-- Art Lande
”If you are a piano trio fan and you like to listen to new original music, then “Close To So Far” is a recording not to miss. He combines many styles within his playing from stride to bebop to modal. In general his approach is very modern utilizing bitonality, dissonance, and extended harmonies. LoCascio has a thorough sense of harmony as well as rhythm and it is a pleasure to hear all three musicians work with such artistry. This is a very flexible recording as the new jazz fan can enjoy its listener friendly quality while the experienced listener can enjoy traveling inside the music with its various twists and turns. Tastefully done!”
-- Michelle Labieniec, Jazz Improv
“LoCascio's playing on Close To So Far, like his writing (all the tracks are his originals), is heady, clean and crisply swinging, and while he describes his writing and playing as “linear,” he's downplaying his strongest quality: texture....gorgeous ballads.”
-- Harvey Siders, Jazz Times Magazine
“His technical facility, harmonic sophistication and fluid melodic lines”
-- Paul Mac Arthur, Downbeat Magazine
