"Vibraphonissimo" - Astor Piazzolla

Sharing this transcription of "Vibraphonissimo", the second track from Astor Piazzolla's "Suite for Vibraphone and New Tango Quintet" which he wrote for Gary Burton. One of my first transcriptions dating back to 1996, when I was starting to learn everything I could on my own; form playing the instrument, to calligraphy. Astor's quintet and Gary played this suite a few times in Europe and the Montreux concert, which took place in July 1986 was soon after released. This transcription also contains Astor's bandoneon's solo. Enjoy, Gustavo 

Vibraphonissimo - Transcription

Joe Locke's Solo Transcription - Stolen Moments (Sailing)

Another beautiful take on Oliver Nelson's minor blues composition "Stolen Moments" by the great Joe Locke. This is a nice band featuring Billy Childs on piano, Cameron Brown on bass and Idris Muhammad on drums. The session took place in Japan and was put together as the "Joe Locke & The New York Quartet". The album is called "Sailing". Unfortunately this recording hasn't been released. Enjoy!

Stolen Moments - JL Solo Transcription

Joe Locke's Solo Transcription - Stolen Moments (But Beautiful)

Here is a transcription of Joe Locke's solo on Oliver Nelson's minor blues "Stolen Moments". It is the closing tune in the 1991 Locke/Barron "classic" duo session "But Beautiful". Another great insight into Joe's early language. Enjoy!

Stolen Moments - JL Solo Transcription

Joe Locke's Solo Transcription - You Don't Know What Love Is (But Beautiful)

This is a transcription of another tasteful solo by Joe Locke on the standard "You Don't Know What Love Is" by De Paul/Raye. It is from a duo recording entitled But Beautiful with pianist Kenny Barron, which dates back to 1991. I've posted another transcription from this same recording for the tune "On A Misty Night", as well as a transcription fro a trio version of "You Don't Know What Love Is" from 1994. The playing (compared to Joe's present standard) is much simpler, making it a great resource for students to get introduced to Joe's early vocabulary, strongly informed by Bebop players. The transcription contains the standard changes, but Joe uses some common reharmonizations, for example on bars 9-10 of the A section, which I've left up for the students to identify. Enjoy.

You Don't Know What Love Is - JL Solo Transcription

Joe Locke's solo - On A Misty Night

Here is a transcription of Joe Locke's vibes solo on Tadd Dameron's tune, "On A Misty Night". This gorgeous duo session with the great Kenny Barron on piano features many great songs, and took place in August 1991. That's just short of 25 years ago. Joe's playing has never stopped evolving, but the musicianship documented on this album is of a stunningly high level. Yet, this solo, as well as the previously posted solo on "You Don't Know What Love Is" from Joe's 1994 trio album "Very Early", are great insights into the roots of Joe's much praised and admired musical vocabulary.  

Joe Locke's Solo Transcription - "On A Misty Night"

Joe Locke on "But Not For Me"

Here is a transcription of a solo by Joe Locke on the tune "But Not For Me" (Gershwin) with the reharmonized "Coltrane Chord Changes", which Coltrane originally recorded on the classic album "My Favorite Things".  The project and record date of "Five For John" was put together by renown italian pianist Dado Moroni, who assembled a great band to pay tribute to John Coltrane, with Joe Locke on vibraphone, Marco Panascia on bass, Alvin Queen on drums and guest Max Ionata on sax.  This is without a doubt Joe's territory and he is rightly backed up by a superb rhythm section, really embodying the spirit of Coltrane, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones & Steve Davis.  Joe's playing on the whole record is truly stunning.  It's great to follow the transcription along with the audio and analyze the lines.  I may attach my own analysis in the future.

The album is available through iTunes, Amazon & Google Play as mp3 downloads.  It was produced and released by the italian label "Via Veneto Jazz", in case you'd like to do some research. Gustavo.

But Not For Me (transcription)

The Language of Joe Locke

This is an article recently written for PAS. It addresses a transcribed solo on the standard "It Could Happen To You" performed by Joe Locke on vibes and Ed Saindon on piano. 

The playing took place during a long weekend that Joe Locke, Ed Saindon and I spent together at Ed's house in December 2009.  Joe and Ed picked each other's brains, shared improvisational concepts and played hours worth of improvised music.  This was one of the many instances Joe got carried away while demonstrating an improvisational idea to us.  

The article (transcription & analysis) was published in two parts.  Here is a PDF containing Part One & Part Two, as well as my original transcription (reads better).  Hope you find this as inspiring as I do.  Gustavo

Click the link below to visualize/download the PDF:

It Could Happen To You

Dave Samuels & Lyle Mays

Nice clip of a full concert from 1992 with Dave Samuels on vibes, Lyle Mays on piano, Steve Rodby on bass & Will Kennedy on drums (and guitarrist Michael Sagmeister on some tunes).

Tom Vandergled

I was fortunate to study with Tom Vandergeld (along with Gary and Dave) when I was a student at Berklee. I remember Tom had a nice touch and four mallet conception on the vibes. A very musical player. Unfortunately, I can only a find a few clips of him up on YouTube. He had some nice recordings on ECM in the 70's. It looks like there are some new recordings out. Some of the audioclips are available on his website. Ed


Here are two tracks from Tom's 1979 ECM recording "Path"

Tom Van Der Geld - vibraphone
Bill Connors - guitars
Roger Jannotta - flute, soprano saxophone, oboe

David Friedman

Beautiful playing by David and Peter on "Seresta". Found out today on The Vibes Workshop, a great site for vibists run by Tony Miceli, that it's David's birthday. David has been an inspiration to me for many years with his great playing, teaching, books and pieces. I remember listening, when I was a student at Berklee, to Dave Samuels and David jamming in Dave's studio.