Eddie Locke was part of the very fertile Detroit jazz scene of the late 1940s/early '50s, and during much of his career leaned more towards swing and mainstream music, although he was a very capable drummer in more modern settings. He had a variety act with fellow drummer Oliver Jackson from 1948-53 that was called Bop and Locke, and he freelanced with other Detroit musicians. After moving to New York in 1954, Locke played with Dick Wellstood, Tony Parenti, Henry "Red" Allen, Willie "the Lion" Smith, Teddy Wilson, Roy Eldridge and Coleman Hawkins, becoming a regular in the latter's group during the 1960s. In addition to recording with Lee Konitz, Tiny Grimes and Earle Warren, Locke was with Eldridge's band at Ryan's throughout the '70s, and he remained quite active into the '90s. Locke led a novelty vocal set in the vein of the King Cole Trio that included Oliver Jackson for Chiaroscuro in 1977 and a straight-ahead swing date for Storyville in 1978. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide