Joey Alexander

[peterdubya]

Anybody heard this kid? Sounds good.

Joey Alexander
ARTIST SNAPSHOT: Joey Alexander
Posted: Wed., May. 13, 2015 12:36:06 PM MST

NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) -- Indonesian jazz prodigy Joey Alexander has just released his debut CD "My Favorite Things," an impressive feat for someone who is just 11 years old. Alexander arranged all of the standards on the CD which also includes an original composition “Ma Blues," written by Alexander.

Alexander marked the occasion of his CD release with a sold out performance at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola club in Manhattan, earning a standing ovation from the crowd. This wasn't his first experience with the limelight, having made his U.S. debut at a May 2014 gala at Jazz at Lincoln Center, where he performed a solo rendition of the jazz standard "Around Midnight."

While most young musical prodigies seem to possess more raw technique than nuance, Alexander exhibits a deft touch on the keys, lending an easiness and emotional complexity to the standards he plays.

"Technique is important, but for me first when I play it's from the heart and feeling the groove," Alexander told the Associated Press in a recent interview.

Born in Indonesia, Alexander started playing at an early age and came to the U.S. with the help of jazz greats such as JALC's artistic director Winton Marsalis, who now shares a manager with Alexander. Marsalis was sold on Alexander after hearing him in a YouTube clip, performing challenging pieces by artists such as Coltrane and Monk.

"There has never been anyone that you can think of who could play like that at his age," Marsalis, who now shares a manager with Alexander, told the Associated Press. "I loved everything about his playing - his rhythm, his confidence, his understanding of the music."

Alexander already has a number of future performances lined up, including a gig at the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival.

"The thing that differs from most young players is the maturity of his harmonic approach," the festival's director George Wein told the Associated Press. "His playing is very contemporary but he also has a sense of the history of the music." - Staff Writers

[bluenoter]

[pig pen]

I don't know how an 11 year old can play like this, but he seems like the real deal.

[hornplayer]

Gary Walker interviewed him on WBGO last week, and he played live on the air. I have to say for one so young he plays with amazing maturity. As well, he seems to have some original ideas and is not just copying what he's heard others play.

Anyone who's interested, you should be able to go to wbgo.org/blog and hear the interview and Joey playing live.

Seems incredible, but good on him.

[bluenoter]

[pig pen]

I had to laugh today, Phil Dwyer who is one of the top saxophonists in Canada, posted in Facebook "get me a young Joey Alexander!". He followed that with, that's all great until you need someone to co-sign on the rental van agreement.

[peterdubya]

Holy cow! Just listening to the BGO broadcast..... he really is amazing.

[steve(thelil)]

Reading an excellent piece on musical prodigies and how they most often (but not always) have problems in some intellectual and/or emotional areas. From what I can tell, Joey seems an exception. I hope so.

[Ron Thorne]

I hope so too. He seems very passionate and well-grounded.

[bluenoter]

[peterdubya]

Saw Joey perform on October 1, holy cow, he really was great! I was amazed at his maturity, inventiveness, and his chops.
Really incredible. An old soul!

[Ron Thorne]

[peterdubya]

He played with a trio, the drummer was on a little of his CD, both were young (not Joey young, but early 20's).

Joey was quite impressive.

I believe he'll be out again next summer.

[bluenoter]

[bluenoter]