Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Joseph Paul Locke was born on March 18, 1959 in Palo Alto, California but grew up 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 and played with Mongo Santamaria, Pepper Adams, and Dizzy Gillespie before graduating from high school.

Since moving to New York City in 1981, Locke 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. In 2006, 2008 and 2009 Joe Locke received the “Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year” Award, presented by the Jazz Journalist Association. His ability to play cool and funky, heady and relaxed has had him voted the #1 vibist in Down Beat Magazine’s Critic’s Poll and Brazil’s International Jazz Poll.

Locke has recorded nearly 36 projects as a bandleader, including a tribute to the music of Henry Mancini and since 2012 has released a symphonic album, an orchestra project Wishing On A Star, and Lay Down My Heart: Blues & Ballads, Vol. 1. As a producer and sideman, Joe appears on more than 65 recordings and continues to compose, perform and record.

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