NonDirectional by guitarist Roch Lockyer, is a more eclectic effort. Most of it is crisp progressive Jazz-Rock with folk influences but there are also left turns into funk on “Hutch,” bossa nova on “Here Now But Forever,” and heavier modern Jazz on “Monk’s House.” Lockyer is an impressively versatile player with a sense of space and clarity reminiscent of Jim Hall or Pat Metheny and he sounds fine dialoguing with excellent musicians like pianist Art Lande and trumpeter Ron Miles. “Melancholies,” a delicate weave of guitar, trumpet, piano, and kalimba, and “Quintennaisance,” with its rolling guitar and vibes groove, sound like vintage Gary Burton tracks. Lockyer masterminds a frisky and smart set of music here. Jerome Wilson, Cadence Magazine
Background & Thoughts:
My journey to this space, place and time has been accompanied with the striving and struggles found in life. The questions of how and why we land where we are can't be understood and perhaps they are not meant to be? The sincere practice for any artist or empath will have to be enough reason or justification for the efforts and actions, and thus this website! I have been lucky to have been exposed to, played with and learned from some of my favorite musicians in the world and for this I am grateful. On this album the great Ben Powell (Violin) & virtuoso Rob Hardt (Clarinet) are featured. More importantly every relationship is my music teacher, and I learn far more from the practice of vulnerability and strength of character than the structure of harmony, melody, rhythm or form that is defined as music. With this, I do think it is important to strive and work on ones art. It takes 1000's of hours of practice and dedication to begin to play any instrument well and only a lifetime of conscious repetition will lead to any revelation. There are no shortcuts or easy paths up the mountain. The process of practice and becoming makes me realize that I can never get "there". I can never be as good as anyone else, only my own best self. This current album represents my experience at this place in time, and it is my most honest musical offering. I will be very happy if you enjoy it. Feel free to leave me a note and I will do my best to answer.
Roch Lockyer
Life and Relationship are the same word. The current & vibration of life flows through our breath, and it is our breath that is the never ending song of life...a song sung by all. Making music and playing tunes are just an attempt to participate in this vibration in the form of sound, while temporarily attaching the illusion of a destination. Music has the ability to make us feel not only a sense of purpose, but also the whole range of human emotions. Both listening to or playing music allows a break from the why's & how's and instead a reminder of just because. I hope you will have a listen to the songs and perhaps even offer a bit of support by downloading some music, or by visiting the contact page and signing the mailing list .
With gratitude, Roch
“Roch’s guitar work on “When Day is Done” is just excellent, and his vocals very nicely remind us that there were “better days” and just possibly, that we can bring them back again with great music like this”—
Dick Metcalf, editor, Contemporary Fusion Reviews
"A breezy, young guitar man with an appreciation for the finer, trend setting things that have come before. The familiar becomes something new and hella works. "
Chris Spector, , Editor and Publisher
Copyright 2018 Midwest Record
“Lockyer is a fine player above and beyond his technique and ideas...Lockyer enters with some nice jazz chords and a series of catchy skittering riffs executed at breakneck speed, forming an impressive display...This is intricate music performed with an ease that disguises it’s difficulty...Lockyer has surrounded himself, and his composition, with a highly skilled unit that can play music of high caliber no sweat .” Walter Kolosky
(Biographer, John McLaughlin)
Jazz.com
“Every once in a while a CD comes along that so captures a reviewer’s attention it’s almost as if there aren’t enough superlatives to describe it. This is the case with guitarist Roch Lockyer’s first CD, Nondirectional.” Thomas Erdmann (Professor Emeritus)
JazzReview.com“Lockyer’s jazz guitar skills are right up there with the likes of Pat Metheny and John Scofield. His licks are most defiant on tracks like “Major Transitions (A Life)” and “Monk’s House.” Roch’s improvisational jazz runs will make any guitarist stand up and take listen to this album.
Shaun H.
RadioIndy
"Roch is not only in line with the humanity of his music – he also has some lovely words about life...This is simply one of the finest collections of just pure singing by a man who communicates completely. Highly Recommended."
Grady Harp, Artist Representative, Gallery Owner, writer of essays and articles on Figurative and all Representational art
“Nondirectional is notable not only for Lockyer’s thoughtful solos and original voice on the guitar but for his intriguing compositions...The improvisations develop logically, there is a surprising amount of variety on the set and Roch Lockyer shows a lot of versatility in his playing. This excellent modern jazz set is highly recommended.”
Scott Yanow
Jazz Critic and well-respected music author/writer