| Joe Locke | |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Name: | Joseph Paul Locke |
| Birth Date: | 18 March 1959 |
| Birth Place: | Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Genre: | Jazz |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Instrument: | Vibraphone |
| Years Active: | 1981–present |
| Label: | SteepleChase, Milestone, Sharp Nine, Sirocco, Origin, Motema |
| Associated Acts: | Geoff Keezer |
Joseph Paul Locke (born March 18, 1959) is an American jazz vibraphonist.
A native of Palo Alto, California, Locke grew up in Rochester, New York.[1] His father taught music. When Locke was eight years old he began learning drums and piano, then started on vibraphone five years later.[2] After playing in rock bands, he became attracted to jazz in his teen years[3] and attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester.
In 1981, he moved to New York City and worked as a sideman for Kenny Barron, Freddy Cole, Marvin Smith, and Eddie Henderson. For influences, he has cited Milt Jackson and Bobby Hutcherson. His first solo album, Present Tense, was released by Steeplechase in 1990. He started the band Mutual Appreciation Society in 1999 with David Hazeltine, Essiet Essiet, and Billy Drummond and has recorded frequently with pianist Geoff Keezer. His album Four Walls of Freedom was based on the writings of Thomas Merton.
In 2016, he was inducted into the Music Hall of Fame in Rochester. Joe Locke is the International Vibraphone Consultant at the Royal Academy of Music and holds the title of Hon ARAM.[4] He has won the Mallet Instrumentalist of the Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association on six occasions.