Album Notes

A fresh, unique take on some of his favorite standards, ROBERT LOCKE's debut CD "In A Mellow Tone" (featuring the ROBERT LOCKE QUARTET) showcases arrangements developed while performing live over the past few years. Styles range from playful swing ("In A Mellow Tone," "They Can't Take That Away From Me"), intimate and personal ("Blame It On My Youth," "In A Sentimental Mood"), high-voltage up-tempos ("Shaker Song," Willow Weep For Me"), and bossa novas you will hear again as if for the first time, sung in their original Portuguese ("Garota de Ipanema (The Girl From Ipanema)," "Samba de Uma Nota So (One Note Samba)").

"Robert Locke has the style of a young Frank Sinatra, the jazz influence of Ella and Louis and the emotion of Billie Holliday ... And strangely enough, what comes out of it is totally young and new. Songs you've heard a hundred times, you suddenly actually listen to with a fresh understanding. (CitySearch.com, NYC 4/26/02)"

---“Locke has a strong commitment to his songs--with great support from his outstanding trio.”---John Hoglund, Back Stage--Aug. 30, 2002

Backed by his trio of gifted, in-demand veterans, Robert Locke's rich tone and unique phrasing bring new perspectives to an expansive repertoire of jazz--including standards ranging from Ellington, Porter and the Gershwins to bossa novas.

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ROBERT LOCKE (Vocals)---A native of Northern California, Robert has lived in NYC for 12 years. As a jazz vocalist, Robert has performed sold-out engagements in San Francisco and at various jazz venues in New York City. His first CD was released in October 2002.