Bio
Peter Locke is one of Australia's most highly respected jazz pianists, musical directors and accompanists. Based out of Sydney and the NSW South Coast, Peter is in high demand in many musical settings due to the impressive depth of the jazz tradition in his playing. Peter studied with and is a protege of piano master Chuck Yates.
In addition to his own Peter Locke Trio, he performs regularly with Dan Barnett’s Big Band, Brad Child's Swing-Era Big Band, John Morrison's Swing City Big Band, Society Syncopators (Melb), Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band, Sh! Jazz Quartet (Bowral), the Mell-o-Tones and the New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra, and is often pianist of choice with Bob Henderson, Geoff Power, Adrian Cunningham, Bill Burton, Renato Marcon & Andrew Dickeson. Peter was resident pianist in the late Bob Barnard's Quartet for the last ten years before Bob's retirement from the stage.
Peter regularly accompanies some of the country’s top jazz vocalists including Gregg Arthur, Wilma Reading, Monica Trapaga, Di Bird, Marilyn Mendez, George Washingmachine and the legendary Johnny Nicol to name a few. Not forgetting the late, great Marie Wilson.
Peter also receives warm praise for his tasteful trumpet and flugelhorn solos.
Few musicians move so seamlessly from interpretations of the works of Bix Beiderbecke and Duke Ellington to Be-Bop and beyond.
Some recent festival appearances include Thredbo Jazz, Melbourne International Jazz (with Gregg Arthur), Devonport Jazz, the Noosa Jazz Party, Manly Jazz (with Bob Barnard, Todd Hardy, Dan Barnett, and Gregg Arthur) plus Norfolk Island Jazz (with The Rockets) - check out the events page and sign up to our mailing list to find out more information.
TOURS
Peter’s overseas tours include four appearances at the Bix Beiderbecke Festival in USA with the New Wolverine Jazz Orchestra; European Tour with Melbourne’s legendary Society Syncopators; Asian tour with the Daly-Wilson Big Band (of the 80s), Brazil, Cuba and Waiheki New Zealand tours with the Dan Barnett Big Band and Christchurch NZ tour with Andrew Dickeson's Blue Rhythm Band.
Nationally Peter has toured with Bob Barnard, Leroy Jones (of Harry Connick Jnr fame), Gregg Arthur and Dan Barnett. In 2022 Peter is touring with John Morrison's Swing City Big Band.
FESTIVALS:
Peter has appeared at the majority of Australian jazz festivals including Wangaratta, Devonport and Noosa. In 2016 the Peter Locke Trio performed to sell out audiences at Devonport Jazz Festival.
At Devonport Jazz Festival 2016