Home » Jazz Musicians » Joe Locke

Joe Locke

Joe Locke is widely considered to be one of the major voices of his instrument. He has performed and recorded with a diverse range of notable musicians, including Grover Washington Jr, Kenny Barron, Eddie Henderson, Cecil Taylor, Dianne Reeves, Ron Carter, The Beastie Boys, the Münster Symphony Orchestra and the Lincoln, Nebraska Symphony.

Long known to be a soloist capable of stunning physical power and broad emotional range, it was not until the last decade that he emerged as the composer, bandleader and conceptualist that he is considered today. This is in no small part due to his solo projects of the last decade. “Four Walls of Freedom” (Sirocco), a 6 movement suite based on the writing of the monk Thomas Merton, which he composed as a vehicle for tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, garnered high praise from the critical community as a major work and won several international polls. “Live in Seattle” (Origin), by The Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group, won the 2006 EarShot award for “Concert of the Year”. This group is well loved and emulated by younger musicians looking for direction and inspiration. The overwhelming success of his recent quartet, “Force of Four” (Origin), can be attributed to the talents of his young cohorts and to the leader’s musical philosophy, which is to honor tradition while keeping both feet planted in the present and future. His 2011 album, the captivating, immersive album “VIA”, is the result of a reunion of Storms/Nocturnes, the transatlantic trio with Geoffrey Keezer and Tim Garland.

In 2011 Joe joined the Motéma label for four intrinsically different albums bearing witness of his immense stylistic versatility and ability to create artistic depth in a variety of contexts:

After Signing, the long-awaited follow-up studio album of Live In Seattle, 2012 also saw the release of Joe Locke’s first ever symphonic project, Wish Upon A Star, featuring Locke‘s Quartet with the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra (NE), and the Jazz radio charts #1 Blues & Ballads album Lay Down My Heart in 2013. In 2015 Locke released Love Is A Pendulum – a suite based on a poem by Barbara Sfraga – is already being hailed the most important work of his career.

Locke’s latest album, Subtle Disguise (Origin Records, 2018) represents “the total expression of who I am as a musician and human being.” and features Jim Ridl, Lorin Cohen and Samvel Sarkisyan as part of the core quartet, plus guests Raul Midón, David Binney, Adam Rogers and Alina Engibaryan.

Read more

Tags

7
Album Review

Darden Purcell: Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood

Read "Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood" reviewed by Geannine Reid


Darden Purcell's album Love's Got Me In A Lazy Mood (OA2 Records, 2023) shows her keen ear for the subtleties and nuances which define the West Coast cool jazz vocal sound. Purcell's album comprises eleven tracks which blend the laid-back, sophisticated rhythms and melodic inventiveness that characterize the style with beautiful singing and nimble playing. Purcell is joined by an ensemble of musicians whose contributions are pivotal to the album's charm and success. On six tracks the ensemble ...

10
Album Review

Joe Locke: Makram

Read "Makram" reviewed by Neil Duggan


One of the leading vibraphone specialists of the 21st century, Joe Locke has won multiple awards and performed with artists as diverse as the Beastie Boys and Ron Carter. It's not just his musicianship on the vibraphone that sets him apart. He is a highly versatile arranger, incorporating soul and international influences. Named after the Lebanese bassist Makram Aboul Hosn, Makram is an eclectic mix of the comforting, the challenging and the familiar. Locke's customary quartet features pianist ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

Brave New Year!

Read "Brave New Year!" reviewed by Michael Ambrosino


2023 enters with the bang of the drumbeat of many new remarkable albums. Hear some of the most exciting voices featuring the music of Joe Locke, Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter, Malcolm Strachan, Nicholas Payton, Elio Villafranca, Manzanita Quintet, Bobby Watson, Richie Goods & Chien Chien Lu, Tawanda, Snarky Puppy, Lakecia Benjamin and much, much more! ...

16
Album Review

Oscar Hernandez & Alma Libre: Vision

Read "Vision" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Multiple Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz pianist/composer and band leader Oscar Hernandez and his group, Alma Libre (Free Spirit) issue another shoulder-moving album presenting more of the rhythms he and his bands are so well known for. A true Latin music legend, Hernandez is best regarded for his direction of the 13-piece Spanish Harlem Orchestra that has gathered three Grammy Awards. This album was, in essence, a product of the pandemic situation. Hernandez says: “Recording this album was a way to ...

4
Album Review

Luba Mason: Triangle

Read "Triangle" reviewed by Jim Worsley


The rather smarmy “Bach, Stevie Wonder, and Janette Monae" opens this live performance. While disconcerting, the tide shifts dramatically with The Beatles' John Lennon-Paul McCartney classic “Ticket to Ride." It is reimagined in a sultry and just short of brilliant manner. Luba Mason's vocal phrasing brings an entire new essence to this tune. Bassist James Genus plays a line throughout which is a slow groove with a lot of feeling. Vibraphonist Joe Locke solos in spectacular fashion, while percussionist Samuel ...

1
In Pictures

Freihofer Jazz Festival 2019

Read "Freihofer Jazz Festival 2019" reviewed by Rudolph Lu


The 42nd Annual Freihofer Jazz Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY was held from June 28-20, 2019 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The broad spectrum of jazz was well represented. Well over 25 artists performed. There was an unofficial opening on the 28th held at the Caffe Lena, a venue located in Saratoga Springs itself. With local artists performing at various venues throughout the city. Joe Locke and his Quartet was the unplanned last minute opener at Caffe ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

Joe Locke, Branford Marsalis and More

Read "Joe Locke, Branford Marsalis and More" reviewed by Joe Dimino


We start this week's episode with one of the finest voices on the vibes who made his way through Kansas City in early December, Joe Locke, with a cut off his new CD Subtle Disguise. From there, we dive headlong into the music of a legend on the drums in Billy Cobham, who was the subject of a book by Brian Grueber. We take some time to look into the piano skills of George Colligan off his ...

Read more articles
8

Recording

Joe Locke Discovers His Lingua Franca On Subtle Disguise

Joe Locke Discovers His Lingua Franca On Subtle Disguise

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Available on November 16, 2018 from Origin Records CD Release Celebration: Nov. 17 @ Scullers, jny: Boston, MA For several years now vibraphonist/composer/bandleader Joe Locke has had two musical purposes: one, to speak in a vernacular which reaches people, and two, to continue challenging himself as a player, writer and arranger. In 2013 Locke released Lay Down My Heart (Blues & Ballads, Vol. 1), which dealt with the first directive. Then in 2015 he completed the astounding Love ...

1

Recording

Coming Soon! Motema Music Proudly Announces The Release Of Joe Locke's Most Personal & Emotive Work To Date, "Love Is A Pendulum"

Coming Soon! Motema Music Proudly Announces The Release Of Joe Locke's Most Personal & Emotive Work To Date, "Love Is A Pendulum"

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Motema Music Proudly Announces The Release of Joe Locke's Most Personal & Emotive Work To Date Love Is A Pendulum Available May 26, 2015 Available for pre-order on iTunes Now! Featuring Joe Locke (compositions, vibes), Robert Rodriguez (piano), Ricardo Rodriguez (bass), Terreon Gully (co-­producer, drums) With Special Guests Rosario Giuliani, Donny McCaslin (saxophones), Paul Bollenback (guitar), Victor Provost (steel pan) and Theo Bleckmann (voice) Joe Locke is a musician's musician, an artist for the ages, a man who has been ...

3

Recording

Motema Music Proudly Announces The Release Of Joe Locke's Most Personal & Emotive Work To Date, "Love Is A Pendulum"

Motema Music Proudly Announces The Release Of Joe Locke's Most Personal & Emotive Work To Date, "Love Is A Pendulum"

Source: Jason Byrne, Red Cat Publicity

Available May 26, 2015 Featuring Joe Locke (compositions, vibes), Robert Rodriguez (piano), Ricardo Rodriguez (bass), Terreon Gully (co-­producer, drums) With Special Guests Rosario Giuliani, Donny McCaslin (saxophones), Paul Bollenback (guitar), Victor Provost (steel pan) and Theo Bleckmann (voice) Joe Locke is a musician's musician, an artist for the ages, a man who has been gracing stages and studios with his immense talent, and uplifting spirit, since he was fifteen. Locke is a man who has gathered no moss as he ...

1

Performance / Tour

An Evening With A Superband: Mike Pope & The House Of Cardinals Featuring Mike Pope, Eldar Djangirov, Joe Locke, Bob Franceschini & Mauricio Zottarelli

An Evening With A Superband: Mike Pope & The House Of Cardinals Featuring Mike Pope, Eldar Djangirov, Joe Locke, Bob Franceschini & Mauricio Zottarelli

Source: Sue Auclair Promotions

Cambridge, MA: Cambridge's jazz hotspot—the Regattabar—will present An Evening with A Superband: Mike Pope & the House of Cardinals featuring acoustic and electric bassist and composer Mike Pope, pianist Eldar Djangirov, vibraphonist Joe Locke, saxophonist Bob Franceschini and drummer Mauricio Zottarelli on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 7:30 PM. The Regattabar is located in the Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. Tickets at $25.00 are on sale now at regattabarjazz.com or information and tickets are also available by calling ...

1

Recording

Motéma Music Takes Flight In Its Tenth Year With Steady Stream Of Breakthrough Albums

Motéma Music Takes Flight In Its Tenth Year With Steady Stream Of Breakthrough Albums

Source: GoMedia PR

Harlem-Based Label Makes Waves on International Sales, Radio and Tastemaker Charts and Polls Celebrations planned at Monterey, Exit 0 & London Jazz Festivals, As Well As at Events in Detroit, NYC and Paris Motéma Music's tenth anniversary year is in full swing, and as the summer heats up, the Harlem-based label has much cause for celebration. The month of July kicked off with vibraphonist Joe Locke's May release, Lay Down My Heart, spending two weeks in the #1 slot on the ...

1

Recording

Joe Locke To Release Lay Down My Heart (Blues & Ballads, Volume 1) On May 14

Joe Locke To Release Lay Down My Heart (Blues & Ballads, Volume 1) On May 14

Source: GoMedia PR

Vibraphonist's Third Release for Motéma Music Further Illustrates the Depth and Breadth of his Talent Lay Down My Heart, the third release from the prolific vibraphonist Joe Locke since his signing to Motéma Music in 2012, marks a complete and deliberate contrast from his two previous releases: the small-group outing Signing, his critically lauded 2012 label debut with The Joe Locke Geoffrey Keezer Group, and the large- scale Wish Upon A Star, which was recorded with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra and ...

29

Recording

Vibraphonist Joe Locke Debuts on Motema with New CD from The Joe Locke/Geoffrey Keezer Group, Signing

Vibraphonist Joe Locke Debuts on Motema with New CD from The Joe Locke/Geoffrey Keezer Group, Signing

Source: GoMedia PR

CD Will Be Released April 10 in the US and Europe In a career moving from one milestone to the next with accelerating regularity, the past decade has represented particularly extraordinary artistic growth for vibraphonist Joe Locke as a composer and leader. Beginning in 2001 with the Storms/Nocturnes Trio collaboration with Geoffrey Keezer and Tim Garland, and moving forward with projects under his own leadership—ranging from the Four Walls of Freedom group and Milt Jackson Tribute Band to the more ...

138

Video / DVD

Joe Locke/Ed Saindon Duo Vibraphone Berklee Concert

Source: Ed Saindon


389

Recording

"VIA" - the new recording by the Storms/Nocturnes Trio: Tim Garland, Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke

"VIA" - the new recording by the Storms/Nocturnes Trio: Tim Garland, Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke

Source: Nadja von Massow

With VIA the third album by the Storms/Nocturnes Trio, celebrated British saxophonist Tim Garland, world leading vibraphone virtuoso Joe Locke and recent Grammy nominee, pianist Geoffrey Keezer, create a unique three way dialogue of captivating, immersive music. This enduring international alliance of three jazz giants is celebrating its tenth anniversary with this album, released on Seattle-based Origin Records on April 19th 2011. After two successful recordings—Storms/Nocturnes (2001) and Rising Tide (2003, both Sirocco Music)—and a gap of seven years busy ...

114

Recording

Be a Part of Storms/Nocturnes' New Album, Featuring Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke & Tim Garland

Be a Part of Storms/Nocturnes' New Album, Featuring Geoffrey Keezer, Joe Locke & Tim Garland

Source: Nadja von Massow

Eight years after their last, critically acclaimed recording and tricky scheduling to coordinate three busy international calendars, Tim Garland, Geoffrey Keezer and Joe Locke are about to record their third album in November under the name of the Storms/Nocturnes Trio. After substantial own investment and generous help from friends in the industry to guarantee artistic control and integrity, the project is almost on its way. For the final push, we would like to ask for your support, become part of ...

“In the select group of contemporary vibes players, Locke has claims to head the list.” — Penguin Encyclopedia of Jazz

“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

“Locke has secured a spot among the world’s top jazz vibists – and one of the most popular. Without sacrificing his jazz integrity or intent, Locke still manages to engage even casual listeners with a mixture of edgy attitude and artistic purity.” — Neil Tesser, Chicago Examiner

Read more

Primary Instrument

Vibraphone

Location

New York City

Credentials/Background

Hon ARAM & International Vibraphone Consultant (visiting) at the Royal Academy of Music, London Further teaching engagements at University of Utah, SLC (USA) The Royal Conservatoire, Birmingham (UK) The Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (UK) The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Glasgow (UK) Prins Claus Conservatoire, Groningen (NL) and more...

Clinic/Workshop Information

Classes in jazz improvisation, arranging, composition, ensemble playing, etc Masterclass "The Spirituality of Imperfection", which resonates with students and teachers alike This masterclass discusses how our shortcomings and weaknesses are as important to our creative development as our accomplishments

Read more

Dan McCarthy
vibraphone
Eric Zabala
vibraphone
Lucas Amorim
vibraphone

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Makram

Circle 9 Records
2023

buy

Vision

Ovation Records
2022

buy

Triangle

Luba Mason Productions
2020

buy

TUQTI

Self Produced
2019

buy

Subtle Disguise

Origin Records
2018

buy

Willow Weep for Me

From: Love's Got Me in a Lazy Mood
By Joe Locke

Red Cloud

From: Subtle Disguise
By Joe Locke

Point of View Redux

From: Breakthrough
By Joe Locke

The Lost Lenore

From: Signing
By Joe Locke

Her Sanctuary

From: VIA
By Joe Locke

Verrazano Moon

From: For the Love of You
By Joe Locke

Alpha Punk

From: Force of Four
By Joe Locke

Sword of Whispers

From: Sticks and Strings
By Joe Locke

Van Gogh By Numbers

From: Live In Seattle
By Joe Locke

Big Town

From: Rev-elation
By Joe Locke

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.