University to Host Free Jazz Concert with the Acclaimed Joe Locke Duo on Oct. 15
Master vibraphonist to take the stage with standout pianist Jim Ridl at Global Heritage Hall
BRISTOL, R.I. – A modern-day master of the vibraphone, Joe Locke has long been acclaimed as one of the major voices of his instrument, capable of stunning physical power and broad emotional range.
With a far-reaching repertoire that includes jazz standards, blues, ballads and original numbers, Locke takes the stage at 51 on Wednesday, Oct. 15, with the exceptionally talented Jim Ridl on piano, a creative force in his own right.
Part of the Live@RWU series at 51 – which has hosted legend Freddy Cole, emerging jazz superstar Aaron Diehl and pianist Johnny O’Neal in recent months – the concert is free and open to members of the public who reserve tickets in advance.
“Joe Locke is a stunningly talented musician,” says Robert M. Eisinger, dean of the University’s Feinstein College of Arts and Sciences, the event’s sponsor. “You hear him on a CD, the radio, or Internet, and you say, ‘Wow! That is beautiful.’ To see Locke perform live is another example of magnificence. His unparalleled energy, enthusiasm and ability to create compelling harmonies collectively make for a great musical performance. There is a reason why so many talented musicians want to play with Locke. He is a master of the vibes, and he makes an audience hear and see excellence in action.”
In a career spanning more than three decades, Locke has performed with a wide range of notable musicians, including Grover Washington Jr., Kenny Barron, Eddie Henderson, Cecil Taylor, Dianne Reeves, Ron Carter, and The Beastie Boys.
He has won numerous awards and topped a variety of polls, including the 2006, 2008 and 2009 “Mallet Player of the Year” award from the Jazz Journalists Association and the 2013 Hot House NYC Jazz Awards for Best Vibes Player. An active clinician and educator in the U.S. and Europe, he has been the International Vibraphone Consultant at the Royal Academy of Music, London, on a visiting basis since 2008.
The Wednesday, Oct. 15, concert at Roger Williams takes place at 7:30 p.m. in the Global Heritage Hall Atrium on the University’s Bristol campus at One Old Ferry Road. The event is free and open to the public — but seating is limited and tickets are required for all attendees.