March 03, 2008

Locke plays Mancini, March 25-30 at Dizzy's

February 01, 2008

"Sticks and Strings" - recent reviews III

January 27, 2008

David Finck's "Future Day" out in February

January 22, 2008

Joe Locke wins 2nd Golden Ear Award

January 18, 2008

"Sticks and Strings" - recent reviews II

January 06, 2008

Golden Ear Award nomination for Joe Locke

December 09, 2007

"Sticks and Strings" - recent reviews I

The Joe Locke Quartet's newest release, "Sticks and Strings", has been receiving superb reviews...

read Dr. Mike's review at RadioIO

read John Kelman's review at AAJ

read Dr. Jeff Monroe's review at AAJ

» Press coverage for this group
» Visit the quartet's project page
» Buy 'Sticks and Strings' here

December 08, 2007

TSYJO release 'Exploration' feat. Joe Locke

In March 2007, Joe recorded with the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra (TSYJO) in Glasgow at the end of a highly successful series of concerts around Scotland. Bringing together the most promising young Scottish musicians with the talents of Michael Janisch (bass), Ryan Quigley, Tom MacNiven (trumpets) and featuring Joe Locke as a special guest, Tommy Smith has just released "Exploration", the TSYJO's first studio recording, on the Spartacus label.
» Find out more
» Read review (John Fordham, The Guardian)
» Buy 'Exploration' here

November 29, 2007

'Concerts of the Year' for German performances

The Editors of one of Germany's biggest monthly Jazz mags, JAZZTHETIK, have just elected two of Joe Locke's 2007 performances as Best on-the-road concerts in the Concert of the Year category. "Joe Locke at JazzBaltica" and "the Joe Locke Quartet at A-Trane (Berlin)" took top positions in JAZZTHETIK's annual poll.

November 09, 2007

Joe Locke Quartet in Europe

With four highly successful concerts in Germany under their wings, receiving outstanding reviews and overwhelming audience responses, Joe Locke has taken his band to Italy for 15 further European appearances. Jay Anderson, Joe LaBarbera, Jonathan Kreisberg and Joe Locke will be performing Jazz Festivals in Bologna (ITA) and Lugo (SPAIN), among other locations, between November 9 and 24.
» Check the updated tour schedule for details

October 16, 2007

Concerts in Germany

After raving reviews and sold-out concerts at this year's JazzBaltica Festival, where he was 'Artist in Residence', Joe Locke will be returning to Germany in November for four selected concerts in Minden (Nov.03), Kiel (Nov.04), Berlin (Nov.05) and Cologne (Nov.06), promoting his new recording "Sticks and Strings" (to be released on the JazzEyes label). Completing the quartet are Jay Anderson on bass, guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and Joe LaBarbera on drums. The band will continue their European tour with concerts in Italy and Spain from November 08.
» more details and venue information here
» all confirmed 2007/2008 tour dates

October 07, 2007

'An Evening With Joe Locke' at London's Royal Academy of Music: Nov. 02, 2007

Following an invitation by the RAM, Joe will be the featured guest in their highly successful 'An Evening With...' series. The concert will include an interview with Joe by Neil Percy, Principal Percussionist with the London Symphony Orchestra and Head of the Timpani and Percussion Department, providing insights into Joe's career, influences and approach to improvisation. The event will also premier Joe's new music for vibes and percussion ensemble.

» Find out all the details here

October 02, 2007

Joe Locke is guest artist on new Michael O'Neill Quintet recording, featuring Kenny Washington

Joe recorded recently in Berkeley, CA, with his favorite male jazz vocalist, Kenny Washington. The result is "Still Dancin'" - The Michael O'Neill Quintet featuring Kenny Washington. "Michael couched Kenny's voice in some beautiful, imaginative arrangements, which really exhibit the range of this great singer", says Joe. "It was a pleasure to work on this project with some of the Bay Area's finest musicians."
» Buy "Still Dancin'" here

September 03, 2007

David Hazeltine "The Inspiration Suite"

For the first time since the critically acclaimed 1999 album "Mutual Admiration Society", Joe has joined his friend David Hazeltine, who is honoring his great influences, pianists Cedar Walton and Buddy Montegomery on a new Sharp Nine recording, "The Inspiration Suite". With Joe and saxophonist Eric Alexander in the front line, David is further supported by John Webber and Joe Farnsworth in the rhythm section.
The album will be on general release from September 18, 2007.
» Get it directly at Sharp Nine

September 01, 2007

New Joe Locke mallet from Pro-Mark

Pro-Mark, working with Joe, have just developed a second Joe Locke signature mallet. The new mallet is harder than the original PJL model, and is designed to cut through in acoustic situations. The PJL2 will be available - alongside the existing PJL - at Pro-Mark from later this year.
» Visit Joe Locke at Pro-Mark

August 01, 2007

Joe Locke and Frank Kimbrough in Red Bank

Joe Locke and Frank Kimbrough will be wrapping up the Summer Jazz Café Series in Red Bank, NJ, this Friday and Saturday. The two have a long successful history of collaborating on stage and in the studio, including two albums and numerous live performances. Find out more about their projects here.
The Locke/Kimbrough duo will be performing at the River's Edge Café on August 03 and 04.
» Asbury&Park Press announcement
» complete Joe Locke appearances schedule

July 22, 2007

visit the new music section

Listening to Joe Locke's sound is now even easier: We have revamped and simplified the music section, to allow you to check out Joe's latest albums, download from our shop or buy online. Just remember to turn the volume up!
» music (sound files and download)

June 07, 2007

Joe Locke receives 2007 JJA Award nomination

Last year's "Mallet Player of the Year", Joe Locke, has been nominated once again for the Jazz Journalists Association's Awards in the same category. All 2007 winners will be announced at the end of June.
» JJA website

May 13, 2007

The SNJO pay tribute to John Coltrane

Joe Locke is one of ten internationally acclaimed musicians/arrangers to pay tribute to the music of John Coltrane, with a new arrangement of Coltrane's "Naima". The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, directed by Tommy Smith, will premiere the work on June 26, at this year's Glasgow International Jazz Festival.
» Read more about this project

May 06, 2007

Darrell Grant's "Truth and Reconciliation" released

The latest recording by pianist/composer Darrell Grant, 2-CD album "Truth and Reconciliation" (Origin Records), is now available in stores. Joe Locke joined Darrell, John Patitucci (bass) and Brian Blade (drums) last year as guest artist on "The Way You Look Tonight". Other guest artists include saxophonist Steve Wilson and guitarists Bill Frisell and Adam Rogers. Joe Locke: "This was a true labor of love for Darrell."
» Read Joe's thoughts about this project
» review on 'All About Jazz'
» Buy at Amazon  |  » Buy at Origin

April 01, 2007

MOMENTUM Project - photos

Joe went on a brief but intense concert tour in England this March with the MOMENTUM Project, a UK/US collaboration, performing the music of Graham Fitkin and Tim Garland... with eight extraordinary artists.
» Tour photos

March 26, 2007

Joe Locke 'Artist in Residence' at JazzBaltica

Joe Locke will be one of the headlining musicians at this summer's JazzBaltica Festival in Salzau, Northern Germany, as 'Artist in Residence', appearing in no less than four prestigious concerts between June 29 and July 01, 2007.

» More concert details
» JazzBaltica website

March 25, 2007

New Thomas Marriott release "Both Sides Of The Fence", featuring Joe Locke

Joe Locke has joined his friend Thomas Marriott once again for a musical collaboration and appears on two tracks of  "Both Sides Of The Fence", Marriott's latest recording, alongside Marc Seales (piano, Fender Rhodes), Jeff Johnson (bass) and John Bishop (drums).
The album will be in stores from March 27.

» Buy "Both Sides Of The Fence"
» Read the ALL ABOUT JAZZ review
» More of Joe Locke's guest recordings

March 02, 2007

Joe Locke featured on new Wayne Escoffery recording

Wayne Escoffery's new album "Veneration", which will be on general release from March 13, features Joe Locke alongside Lewis Nash (drums) and Hans Glawischnig (bass). The eight tracks were recorded live at Smoke Jazz Club, NYC, on June 2nd and 3rd last year, marking Wayne's debut on the Savant label.

» buy "Veneration"

 

February 10, 2007

Joe Locke joins MOMENTUM the music of Graham Fitkin and Tim Garland

Joe Locke joins Tim Garland and Geoffrey Keezer (the three last worked together in 2003 on the "Storms Nocturnes" project) for this major new work written by Garland himself and composer/pianist Graham Fitkin, entitled MOMENTUM. Presented as a contemporary concerto grosso, both composers will perform alongside Locke, Keezer and bassist John Patitucci, plus current members of the London Philharmonic and London Symphony Orchestras. Concert dates: March 15-21, 2007.
» view all dates for this tour

February 09, 2007

The TSYJO featuring Joe Locke

From March 09 - 11 Scottish saxophonist/composer Tommy Smith is taking the "Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra" onto the road in Scotland. Featuring Joe Locke, special guests also include Ryan Quigley, Tom MacNiven and Michael Janisch.

» view all dates for this tour
» TSYJO website

November 21, 2006

"Live in Seattle" review on Jazz Radio 247

"A suitable preamble for this review might include the following descriptors: spontaneous, controlled, innovative, melodic, inventive, raucous, sensitive, energetic. These are some of the adjectives that come to mind while listening to Joe Locke’s CD “Live in Seattle”. [...]
Read the full article here »
All 'Live in Seattle' press clippings »
Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group project (incl. videos) »

November 04, 2006

  Joe Locke & Geoffrey Keezer live video

Watch it here: Joe Locke and Geoffrey Keezer's breathtaking performance of Gershwin's "Summertime" at the 2005 Tokyo Jazz Festival is now available as streaming video. Check it out »

November 01, 2006

JazzTimes review: Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group: "Live in Seattle"

"[..] Co-leaders vibist Locke and pianist Keezer are so close in their musical philosophy that when one itches, the other scratches. [..]"
Read the whole article by Harvey Siders »
Visit the Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group project (incl. live videos and streaming music)) »
Download "Live In Seattle"  »

September 30, 2006

Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group: "Live in Seattle" review (AAJ)

"[...] The wow factor, in full force at the start of the show, had morphed into an I-can’t-friggin-believe-what-I’m hearing phenomenon by the end of the night, as a normally subdued Seattle jazz audience found itself hooting and hollering as if the Seahawks had won the Superbowl. [...]"
Read the whole article by Jason West »
Visit the Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group project »

July 20, 2006

Download "Live in Seattle" mp3s

Visit Joe Locke's music shop and download the latest album, "Live in Seattle" - or individual tracks - for your iPod or mp3-player.
Download "Live in Seattle" here »»
Joe Locke's music shop »

July 18, 2006

"Live in Seattle" in stores today

Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group
"Live in Seattle" - the Earshot 2005 Award winning concert, out now! "...just might be the best jazz release of 2006." (Dr. Michael Matheny, RadioIO)
Buy the album »
Videos, sound samples and more »
Featured release on RadioIO Jazz »

"Arranging to record a concert always creates the hope for one of those special performances where everything gels perfectly. Live in Seattle captures the Locke/Keezer Group on one such occasion." [...]
Read John Kelman's review on AAJ »      All press clippings »

July 11, 2006

Jazz Police "Live and Lush in Seattle"

Joe Locke and Geoffrey Keezer: Two giants of modern mainstream jazz joined forces last fall at the Ballard Jazz Festival in Seattle, and the result was golden. [..].
Read the article »   |   Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group info »   |   All press clippings »

July 08, 2006

Jazzcat Interview: Tuesday, July 11

Joe Locke will be talking to "Jazzcat" LeRoy Downs on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 from 5.15pm PST.
The Jazzcat Blog »   |   KRML Radio Website (listen live!) »

July 01, 2006

NEW: live performance videos
The Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group

For all information about the upcoming Origin release "Live in Seattle" of The Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group, incl. two live performance videos from the 2005 Ballard Jazz Festival, visit the band's project page.

June 19, 2006

Joe Locke receives JJA "Mallet Player of the Year" Award

Joe Locke was tonight honored "Mallet Player of the Year" at the 10th Annual Jazz Journalists Association Awards, held in New York City.

All winners (group photo) »

 

June 03, 2006

Introducing "Live in Seattle"

Joe Locke talks about the upcoming release of The Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group. Watch the video »

May 20, 2006

"Van Gogh by Numbers" available in Europe

Joe Locke's and Christos Rafalides' Duo album "Van Gogh by Numbers" is now also available in Europe through UK online retailer JazzCDs.co.uk. For more information about the Locke / Rafalides Duo, please visit the project page and download the detailed PDF press kit.

JazzCDs.co.uk  |  Locke/Rafalides Duo Project »

May 18, 2006

Locke/Keezer Group at Dizzy's (Preview)

From June 06-11, master vibraphonist Joe Locke joins forces with exciting pianist Geoffrey Keezer, as the Locke/Keezer Group promises six nights of 21st century sophistication anchored in 20th century accessibility, timeless musicality, and incendiary inspiration. [..>]
Read full article here »  |  Locke/Keezer Group Project »

May 07, 2006

In his own words...

We have launched Joe's Journal - a public place for things that Joe wants to express and share in his very own words.Check it out.

May 06, 2006

"Live in Seattle" to be released in July, 2006

Origin is very pleased to present to U.S. audiences this great band caught on a very special night, already recognized by the Earshot "Golden Ear" Awards as the Northwest Concert of the Year for 2005. "Live in Seattle", to be released on July 18th, is a document of this outstanding live performance. The Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group is completed by Terreon Gully on drums and Mike Pope on bass. See "appearances" for CD previews in NY this June. [..>]

May 02, 2006

Locke nominated for JJA Award

Joe Locke has been nominated by the Jazz Journalists Association for a 2006 Jazz Award in the category "Mallet Player of the Year". Winners will be announced on June19th. [..>]

April 22, 2006

Locke/Keezer Group News

The Joe Locke / Geoffrey Keezer Group will be performing at Dizzy's Club Coca Cola in New York City and at Rochester's International Jazz Festival this June - in the wake of their upcoming Origin release, "Live in Seattle", which will be available later this summer.[..>]

March 12, 2006

AAJ review: Van Gogh by Numbers

If jazz is a marginalized genre and the vibraphone is a marginalized instrument within that genre, then Van Gogh by Numbers—an album of vibes and marimba duets—is clearly a first. But the idea of an intimate series of mallet duets will come as no surprise to listeners familiar with Joe Locke...
Read the article »

March 03, 2006

AAJ: Rev-elation / I Can't Give You Anything But Love

Few tribute albums released these days do justice to the music of the honoree, or the artistry of the player acknowledging the influence of the venerated figure, on the high level that Joe Locke reaches on Rev-elation, easily one of the hardest swinging records released recently.
Read the article »  |  Download PDF article »