Artist: Joe Locke

Date of Release: 04/11/2005

Catalogue no: 1001

Label: Wire Walker Music

Price: £9.99

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Track Listing

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.

I share this story because it defines my relationship with 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.

-- Joe Locke --

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