BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Eddie Locke

Eddie Locke in 1977

Eddie Locke (August 2, 1930 – September 7, 2009) was an American jazz drummer.

Eddie Locke was a part of the fertile and vibrant Detroit jazz scene during the 1940's and 1950's, which brought forth many great musicians including the Jones brothers (Hank, Thad, and Elvin), Kenny Burrell, Lucky Thompson, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, and so many others. He eventually formed a variety act with drummer Oliver Jackson called Bop & Locke which played the Apollo Theater. He moved to New York City in 1954, and worked there with Dick Well stood, Tony Parenti, Red Allen, Willie "The Lion" Smith, and Teddy Wilson amongst others. During this time he came under the tutelage of the great Jo Jones, and eventually became known as a driving and swinging drummer who kept solid time and supported the soloist. During the late 1950s he formed two of his most fruitful musical relationships, one with Roy Eldridge, and the other with Coleman Hawkins. His recording debut came with Eldridge in 1959 on "On The Town", and he rounded out the Coleman Hawkins Quartet in the 1960's with band members Tommy Flanagan and Major Holley, which made many fine records including the exquisite album "Today and Now" in 1963. Throughout the 1970s, he played with Roy Eldridge's band at Jimmy Ryan's on 54th St. and wound out his career freelancing as well as teaching youngsters the drums at the Trevor Day School on Manhattan's upper west side.

Eddie died on Monday morning, September 7, 2009, in Ramsey, New Jersey.^[1]

Locke appears in the photograph A Great Day in Harlem- first row standing, third from the left. (not including the leg sticking into the frame)