Joe Locke (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Locke
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Paul Locke |
| Born | March 18, 1959 Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vibraphone |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Labels | SteepleChase, Milestone, Sharp Nine, Sirocco, Origin, Motema |
| Associated acts | Geoff Keezer |
Joseph Paul Locke (born March 18, 1959) is an American jazz musician. He is famous for playing the vibraphone. The vibraphone is a musical instrument with metal bars that are hit with mallets, similar to a xylophone.
Contents
Joe Locke's Early Life and Musical Journey
Joe Locke was born in Palo Alto, California. He grew up in Rochester, New York. His father was a music teacher, which helped Joe start his musical journey early.
Learning Instruments as a Kid
When Joe was eight years old, he began learning to play the drums and the piano. Five years later, he started playing the vibraphone. He first played in rock bands. Later, as a teenager, he became very interested in jazz music. He then went to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester to study music further.
Moving to New York City
In 1981, Joe Locke moved to New York City. This city is a major center for music. There, he worked with many other famous musicians. He played alongside artists like Kenny Barron, Freddy Cole, Marvin Smith, and Eddie Henderson.
Who Inspired Joe Locke?
Joe Locke has said that two other great vibraphone players, Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson, were big inspirations for him. He learned a lot from their music.
Joe Locke's Career Highlights
Joe Locke released his first solo album, Present Tense, in 1990. It was released by Steeplechase Records. He has created many albums since then.
Starting a Band and Collaborations
In 1999, Joe Locke started a band called Mutual Appreciation Society. He formed this group with David Hazeltine, Essiet Essiet, and Billy Drummond. He has also often recorded music with the talented pianist Geoff Keezer. One of his albums, Four Walls of Freedom, was inspired by the writings of a writer named Thomas Merton.
Awards and Recognition
Joe Locke has received many honors for his music. In 2016, he was added to the Music Hall of Fame in Rochester. He is also the International Vibraphone Consultant at the Royal Academy of Music. This means he helps teach and guide vibraphone students there. He has won the Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association six times. This award recognizes him as one of the best mallet instrument players in jazz.
Joe Locke's Music Albums
Joe Locke has released many albums as a leader. Here are some of them:
- 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)
