JOE LOCASCIO
713.522.5221
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Over thirty years performing as both leader and sideman in concert, club and festivals throughout this country and abroad.
Affiliations with major jazz recording labels since 1985 which has resulted in prolific radio airplay of recordings as well as numerous features iand reviews in jazz journals, newspapers and internet.
Assistant Chair of Jazz Studies program at Houston Community College since 1995. As such, has established curriculum, seen to the hiring of adjunct faculty and overseen all jazz related performance done through HCC Spring Branch .
TYPICAL PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
As Assistant Chairman of Jazz Studies at Northwest College has produced highly successful, award winning students. Director of the HCCS Faculty Jazz Ensemble since 1996. Developed a jazz studies course to heighten the understanding of jazz in the community. Initiated a jazz scholarship program (The Thomas A. Adams III Jazz Scholarship Award). Initiated an expanded jazz curriculum – including jazz theory, composition and arranging, and history classes. Co-founded and co-produces the HCCS Jazz Fest. Has instituded interactive programs with Audio/Visual department resulting in nationally released product.
Has presented jazz clinics throughout the country including University of North Texas, Texas Tech, McNeese State, Sam Houston State, Richland College, Eastland College, University of Arkansas, Texas Christian University, Amarillo College, San Jacinto College, and University of Houston among others.
Has performed and/or recorded with jazz luminaries such as Chet Baker, Billy Hart, Conrad Herwig, Dave Liebman, Freddie Hubbard, George Mraz, Randy Brecker, Tim Hagans, Conrad Herwig, Arnett Cobb, Marvin Stamm, Mel Lewis, Bob Brookmeyer, Ernie Watts, George Coleman, Frank Rehak, Tony Campise, Kirk Whalum, Hank Crawford, Pharaoh Sanders and Larry Coryell, among many others.
Has composed music in a variety of settings. Compositions include:
Concerto for Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra (2011) Commissioned by the Baytown Symphony Orchestra
Concerto for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra (2011) Commissioned by Thomas Helton
4 Bagatelles for Saxophone Quartet (2011) Commissioned by Woodrow Witt
Ben Turners Blues for Clarinet Choir, 3 Saxophones, iano and Double Bass (2011) Commissioned by Richard Nunemaker
“In Her Springtime” a chamber opera (2006, rev. 2010)
Music for String Quartet and Jazz Trio (2009);
String Quartet #2 (2007);
“Music for Jazz Orchestra,” (2003);
"Our New England Summer" (String Quartet #1) commissioned by the Fine Arts String Quartet,
1997; Mass for Mixed Voices, Strings, Trumpet, Piano and Celeste, commissioned by the Houston Choral Society, 1997;
Of God and the Gods for SATB Choir and Piano or Organ, commissioned by the First Unitarian Church, 1996;
Sonata for Piano commissioned by Christine Schaffer, 1995
Beside heavy radio airplay worldwide, recordings have received critical acclaim in journals such as Jazz Times, Jazziz, Cadence, Billboard, Downbeat and Keyboard among others. Downbeat Magazine recognized his recording In the City of Lost Things as “one of the best jazz recordings of 2007.”
Director of Entertainment for Ovations, Houston, Texas jazz club – 1998-1999.
EDUCATION
University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1973 - 1977.
Studied composition with David Barnett, piano with Robert Preston, jazz piano with John Mehegan, and jazz arranging and improvisation with Neil Slater.
Served three years on faculty of University of Bridgeport Music Prepatory Division as instructor of jazz piano, improvisation and jazz ensemble.
Received Soper Award for Music Composition in 1976.
DISCOGRAPHY
RECORDINGS RELEASEDUNDER OWN NAME
Nameless Places (2010) Tafford Music with Patty Sanders and Woody Witt
Seasons Ago (The Songs of Alec Wilder) (2009) (HEART MUSIC), with Woody Witt
Ghosts (2008) BLUE BAMBOO MUSIC, solo piano
In the City of Lost Things (2007) HEART MUSIC
The Late Show (2004) PATHWAY MUSIC, with Warren Sneed
Close to So Far (2002) HEART MUSIC, with John Adams and Tim Solook
Q (2001) TAFFORD MUSIC, with Bill Miller, Warren Sneed and Tim Solook
Home (1998) HEART MUSIC, solo piano
A Charmed Life (1996) TAFFORD MUSIC, The Joe LoCascio Trio featuring Ed Soph and John Adams
Silent Motion (1994) TAFFORD MUSIC, The Joe LoCascio Trio featuring Ed Soph and John Adams
World with a View (1991) OPTIMISM Records
Sleeping City (1990) OPTIMISM Records, featuring Gary Weldon
In A Mist - The Music of Bix Beiderbecke (1988) GSS Records, solo piano
Marionette (1988) CMG Records
Gliders (1987) CMG Records, acoustic and electronic instrumentation
Sleepless (1986) PAUSA Records, featuring Chet Baker.
OTHER RECORDINGS (Partial List as Sideman)
The Aubrey Tucker Quartet (2008)
Willows w/Woody Witt, Tim Armacost, Billy Hart & Lynn Seaton (2008) Apria Records
Live at Cezanne - Woody Witt Quintet (2007) Apria Records
Woody Witt Quartet (2002) WWW31669
Spectrum w/Bill Miller (2002) BJM00106
Fly By Night w/The John Adams Quartet (1999) CONGRUENT MUSIC CO.
LandHo w/The Houston Jazz Trio (1999) LIQUID PHYLLIS Records
Waltz of Hope – The Music of Dave Nichols (1998) GUILD Records
Strange Beauty w/Tony Campise (1995) HEART MUSIC, Inc.
Ballads, Blues, BeBop and Beyond w/Tony Campise (1994) HEART MUSIC, Inc.
Ballads, Blues & BeBop w/Tony Campise (1993) HEART MUSIC, Inc.
Once In A Blue Moon w/Tony Campise (1991) HEART MUSIC, Inc.
PUBLICATIONS
Over one hundred original compositions with various publishing companies including Haversham Publishing, Inc., Blue Mosquito Publishing Inc., Droz Music, Inc., Coolhot Music, Inc., and Congruent Music Publishing.
The Jazz Piano Handbook, published in 1992, Tafford Publishing, Inc.
The Art of the Improvisors: Essays on the Philosophy, Psychology and Technique of Jazz Performance, Unpublished
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member of the International Association of Jazz Educators since 1993 - 2007.
Member of Musicians Union, Local 65-699 since 1977.
Member of Phi Mu Alpha professional music fraternity since 1974.
Member of BMI since 1986.
More information about Joe LoCascio can be found at www.heartmusic.com and www.bluebamboomusic.com or simply google the name”Joe LoCascio.”