Classical music has produced a number of child prodigies, but they are rare in jazz. Pianist Joey Alexander is one of the few who come to mind. Wynton Marsalis has said of him, “There has never been anyone that you can think of who could play like that at his age. I love everything about his playing–his rhythm, his confidence, his understanding of the music.”
Surprisingly, Alexander wasn’t born in the United States, but on the distant island of Bali in Indonesia. At age 8, he played solo piano before Herbie Hancock, who was impressed and encouraged the youngster. The following year, Alexander won the grand prize at the first Master-Jam Fest competition in the Ukraine. By age 10, he was appearing at jazz festivals and in 2014, Wynton Marsalis invited him to appear at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Alexander’s first album, “My Favorite Things,” was nominated for two Grammy Awards, making him the youngest artist ever to achieve this distinction in the jazz category.
Now 13 years, old he has just released his second album “Countdown” (on the enterprising independent label Motéma Music) and it shows the development of his art.
First of all, he is emerging as a talented composer with three entrancing originals: “City Lights,” “Sunday Waltz,” and “Soul Dreamer.” The first is a Latinate salute to the city of New York, where Alexander now lives. The title suggests that he is a fan of Charlie Chaplin, which is also indicated by the inclusion on the CD of the comic film genius’s most famous song, “Smile.” This is imaginatively handled by mixing in “Over the Rainbow” from “The Wizard of Oz.”
The choice of material reflects Alexander’s influences, such as the jumpy “Criss Cross” by Thelonious Monk, one of his favorite composers. Billy Strayhorn’s impressionistic “Chelsea Bridge” also reveals the pianist’s thoughtful approach to these familiar works. He never falls into the trap of simply imitating the original recordings.
As on his first album, there is a Coltrane tune, here the title track, “Countdown.” “For Wee Folks” is from Wynton Marsalis’s album “Black Codes (From the Underground).” Herbie Hancock’s moody “Maiden Voyage” features the dynamic Chris Potter on soprano saxophone. The other sidemen are drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr. and alternating bass players Larry Grenadier and Dan Chmielinski.
Joey Alexander is already a polished jazz performer. His further growth as a musician will be eagerly followed by jazz aficionados.
Jimmy Heath
