Makram

About the album

Circle 9 is delighted to announce the release of Makram, the latest album from vibraphonist Joe Locke, out February 17, 2023. Featuring a selection of new compositions and a return to his celebrated quartet (pianist Jim Ridl, bassist Lorin Cohen, and drummer Samvel Sarkisyan) Makram is the latest addition to Locke’s extensive leader discography, an album that incorporates soul, swing and world-music influences, synthesized into Locke’s inimitable style.

Joe Locke has always been known for his immense stylistic versatility and ability to connect. His diverse approach was honed by performances over the years with such notable musicians as Grover Washington Jr, Raul Midón, Kenny Barron, Eddie Henderson, Cecil Taylor, Dianne Reeves, Eddie Palmieri, Ron Carter, Bob Berg, The Beastie Boys, the Münster Symphony Orchestra, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the Orchestra da Camera della Sardegna and the Lincoln, Nebraska Symphony.

After decades as one of the most impactful vibraphonists in jazz, with countless awards, critically acclaimed albums, and a remarkably diverse array of musical associations to his credit, he is still expanding his artistic scope. His new release Makram is a recording glistening with the spirit, ingenuity, musicianship and inquisitiveness of an artist joyously embracing kinship as the foundation for making music entirely on his own terms. Locke’s quartet with Ridl, Cohen, and Sarkisyan is a unique musical fraternity, a group perfectly suited to the quality of compositions that make this recording so special.

with Jim Ridl, Lorin Cohen, Samvel Sarkisyan
and guests Doug Beavers, Eric C. Davis, Jennifer Wharton, Samir Nasr Eddine, Bahaa Daou and Tim Garland