2/21/2023 0 Comments Joey jazz piano prodigy![]() ![]() Alexander says Hancock's encouragement led him "to dedicate" himself to jazz. His parents gave up their adventure tour business and moved to Jakarta so he could play with Indonesia's top jazz musicians.Īt age 8, Alexander had the opportunity to play for his hero, Hancock, at a UNESCO event in Jakarta. His father gave him some lessons, and he soon started jamming with local musicians. Alexander immediately began picking out the melody of Monk's "Well, You Needn't" and other standards by ear from listening to his father's jazz collection. "I loved everything about his playing - his rhythm, his confidence, his understanding of the music."Īlexander, whose parents are Christians, attributes his unique talent as being "a gift from God."īorn in Bali, Josiah Alexander Sila began playing piano at the age of 6 when his father, an amateur pianist and guitarist, brought home a mini electric keyboard. "There has never been anyone that you can think of who could play like that at his age," Marsalis said. ![]() Marsalis, JALC's artistic director, brought him over from Indonesia after a friend insisted that he watch a YouTube clip of the 10-year-old performing tunes by Coltrane, Monk and Chick Corea. ![]() debut in May 2014 at Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual gala where performed a solo version of "'Round Midnight." "Technique is important, but for me first when I play it's from the heart and feeling the groove."Īlexander made his U.S. I love jazz because it's about freedom to express yourself and being spontaneous, full of rhythm and full of improvisation," said the mop-topped pianist, who barely tops 4 1/2 feet and weighs about 80 pounds, in a recent interview. Not only did he arrange all the tunes, but he also wrote an original composition, "Ma Blues," inspired by Bobby Timmons' jazz classic "Moanin'." This week, Alexander released his debut CD, "My Favorite Things," making a statement on the opening track with a 10-minute-plus version of John Coltrane's harmonically challenging "Giant Steps." He also displays a sensitive touch on ballads such as Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" and Monk's "'Round Midnight" He's a normal 11-year-old kid who just happens to be a jazz piano prodigy from Indonesia and has already impressed such jazz luminaries as Wynton Marsalis and Herbie Hancock. In 2013 Joey Alexander is again scheduled to perform in several international festivals besides Master-Jam Fest.NEW YORK - Joey Alexander's favourite things include the Avengers, SpongeBob and Thelonious Monk. He has performed in Java International Jazz Festival, Jakarta International Jazz Festival, Jazz Goes To Campus, World Youth Jazz Festival in KL, Indonesia Music House Lokananta- Indosiar TV and music Now at the age of 9, Joey has performed and collaborated with top Jazz musicians in Indonesia among others Indra Lesmana (Pianist/Composer), Benny Likumahua (Legendary Jazz musician/ Trombonist), Idang Rasjidi (Jazz Pianist), Oele Patisellano (Legendary Guitarist), Indro Hardjodikoro (Bass player), Barry Likumahua (Bass player) and also with some visiting Jazz musicians from Europe. In December, 2011 Joey was invited by UNESCO to play solo piano in front of Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock during his visit to Indonesia as United Nations Ambassador. But his real enjoyment is sitting in for jam sessions.” – says his father. “He started piano lessons at the age of 6. ![]() When he was 6 years old, his parents brought home a mini keyboard and to their astonishment Joey could play a melody line of 'Well you needn't' (a Jazz piece written by Thelonious Monk). Joey Alexander is considered to be a Jazz Prodigy in Indonesia. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |