Velocity in the Dark

Ward C Locke

Playlist

Single $1

A relentless acoustic piano trio performance defined by percussive left-hand rhythms, cascading melodic runs, and a high-speed dialogue between the piano, upright bass, and driving drum kit.

upright bass jazz trio modern jazz intense bebop hard bop sophisticated technical acoustic jazz percussive noir fast piano virtuoso piano cinematic jazz live trio

Ward C Locke

I don't confine myself to a single genre. My muse draws from every direction, and I follow where it leads using various AI technologies.

Hello, and thank you for listening. I don't really have a single genre that I aspire to create. It's mainly just what I'm feeling in the moment. My muse draws inspiration from every direction. My musical voyage takes me on journeys both internal and external, journeys whose results I can't always predict. For me, it's truly the journey that matters, not the destination. I let my creativity flow freely, allowing it to guide me where it will. I don't constrain myself to a particular style or genre; instead, I embrace the boundless possibilities of musical expression. Each new piece is an adventure, an opportunity to explore uncharted sonic territory. My aim is not to adhere to any preconceived notions of what my music "should" sound like. Rather, I strive to authentically channel the emotions, ideas, and perspectives that well up within me at any given time. The end result may defy easy categorization, but that's part of the beauty. I'm not beholden to any expectations other than my own artistic vision. So in short, I let my muse be my guide. I follow where it leads, embracing the unpredictable journey of musical creation (via various AI technologies). I hope you'll join me on these voyages, as I never know quite where they might take us. Cheers!

Song Info

Genre

Jazz • Jazz General

Charts

#41 in subgenre Peak #6

Charts

Peak #18

Author

Ward C Locke

Rights

Ward C Locke

Uploaded

January 13, 2026

Track Files

MP3

MP3 7.1 MB • 320 kbps • 3:05

Lossless

WAV 33.9 MB

Meta Data

BPM

230

Beat

4/4

Key

C min

Vocals

No vocals, instrumental only

Story behind the song

The technical challenge of "Velocity in the Dark" lies in the stamina required to maintain a 230 BPM tempo while executing precise, complex fingerwork. The goal was to capture the "shadow" through low-register piano textures without sacrificing the clarity of the high-speed melodic lines. This was of course, done with Suno.ai. No fingers were harmed in the making of this track.

The Movements:

0:00  0:54: [The Shadow’s Entry]: The track opens with a dark, descending piano motif supported by walking bass. The energy builds quickly with sharp cymbal work and a recurring minor-key hook.

0:54  1:36: [Cyclonic Development]: The piano enters a high-velocity solo phase, utilizing rapid-fire arpeggios and chromatic runs that dance over a stable, swinging rhythm section.

1:36  2:20: [The Breakout]: The intensity reaches a climax as the piano moves into higher registers. The interplay becomes more frantic, with the drums increasing in volume and complexity.

2:20  2:48: [Tense Resolution]: The main theme returns with added weight, slowing slightly into a deliberate, heavy-handed final cadence that leaves the listener in a state of unresolved tension.

Heritage & Instrumentation:

Instrumentation Check: Confirmed Acoustic Piano Trio (Piano, Upright Bass, Drums). No accordions or electronic elements present.

Musical Roots: This track draws heavily from the Hard Bop era, characterized by its soulfulness and rhythmic drive, while maintaining the Virtuoso Piano Trio tradition of Bud Powell or Oscar Peterson through its extreme technical demands and "speed-demon" melodic phrasing.

Lyrics and concept by Ward C Locke. Music produced using Suno AI.

On Playlists

@Not For The Mainstream

Jazz Modern/Traditional

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