Recording:
 

Joe Locke & Christos Rafalides: Vibes / Marimba Duo

Christos was my graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music from
September 1997 to May 1999. We immediately struck up a great rapport. The lessons were serious business, but there were times when they seemed more like a party. Recently, Christos came to my home, dropped a cassette tape in my lap and, smiling, said, "Check this out, man." It was a recording of one of those lessons. We were working on the harmonic progression to John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice". We'd discovered a new way to negotiate the changes, and were taking turns playing for each other. What comes through loud and clear on that old cassette is the fun we were both having. There we were, two grown men, elated by the joy of discovery, laughing and screaming like a couple of kids at a sleep-over.

Coming soon.


 

 Christos; our friendship is based on a serious love and respect for the music, but the fun we have working together is a big part of the picture. Since those initial lessons, he's gone on to become a formidable player, composer and band leader but, whenever I make music with him, in some way we are back in that practice room, turned on by the music, loving the hang, and anticipating what's around the next corner. Making this recording and documenting that joy was a complete pleasure.

Masterclasses and Workshops

The urban energy of American Jazz and the rhythms of Cuba, Africa and the Mediterranean come together in the music of this exciting vibes / marimba duo. Once teacher and student, Locke and Rafalides now inspire each other as equals in a program of thought-provoking and beautiful original compositions, as well as arrangements of pieces taken from the Great American Songbook and the contemporary popular music repertoire.

Joe and Christos have been widely praised for their individual achievements (see attached bios). Working together as clinician / performers, they bring the broad scope of their collective knowledge with them to any situation, besides giving a knockout concert!

Some of the topics Joe and Christos address in their workshops /masterclasses include:

Contemporary Jazz Harmony
how to create good chord voicings, and create interesting harmonic progressions.

Linear Improvisation
how to develop good single line playing / achieving clarity and excitement in a solo.

4 Mallet Technique
ideas and exercises to help develop strength and fluidity at the keyboard with 4 mallets.

Composition
finding a voice as a songwriter.

Latin Music
a discussion focusing on the importance of understanding the clave, both in composition and improvisation.

The Spirituality of Imperfection in Music
a talk on the subject of how our shortcomings, as well as our strenghths, inform our music for the better; a glimpse into the humanity of the musical process.
 

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