And in between acclaimed performances at venues like Lincoln Center, the White House, the Newport Jazz Festival and Monterey Jazz Festival, Alexander still makes some time for kids’ stuff - swimming, movies and playing with friends, he said. Alexander made a splash when he released his first American album (My Favorite Things) in 2015. Born on the Indonesian island of Bali in June 2003, and he and his family moved to New York City in 2014 to pursue further studies and a career in the jazz field.
Of course, just having turned 13, fun is important. Jazz piano prodigy Joey Alexander has been wowing audiences for years now. His second album, “Countdown,” is due out next month and includes his original “City Lights,” which wowed on the Grammy broadcast (and earned a standing ovation from the luminaries in attendance).Īfter jamming with Chick Corea recently, the legendary pianist told him “Keep the fun, always” - a piece of advice he’s held on to tightly. “But at the age of 12, you almost think, you know, I might even believe in reincarnation, perhaps.” “At any age, his language is pretty special,” Marsalis said of Alexander earlier this year in “60 Minutes” profile of the young pianist. To be clear: Alexander is not a novelty act or just a cute kid behind a piano - his formidable, freewheeling interpretations, original compositions and show-stopping performances would be blowing people’s hair back even if he were a grown man. As CBS 2s Tracee Carrasco reported, the Jakarta. “Wayne Shorter taught me to be different and free.” / 9:48 PM / CBS New York NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Joey Alexander is only 10 years old, but he has musical talent well beyond his years.
“I learned from Wynton Marsalis how to become a good leader, a serious musician and go deeper in my playing,” Alexander said via email this week. Two years ago, his family moved to New York so Alexander could pursue jazz. YouTube videos of his performances went viral and caught the attention of the jazz world, making a fan out of Marsalis - who has become a mentor alongside other contemporary jazz greats.
Alexander played for Herbie Hancock when the jazz legend was on a good will trip to Jakarta and won an all-ages competition in Europe when he was 9.