sign in sign up
<<
Home , Joey Alexander, Joshua Redman

Trio SUN / SEP 22 / 7:30 PM

Joey Alexander PIANO Kris Funn BASS Kendrick Scott DRUMS

Joey Alexander is a Steinway Artist

Tonight’s program will be announced from the stage.

There will be no intermission.

Jazz & Blues at The Broad Stage made possible by a generous gift from Richard & Lisa Kendall.

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 20 Katz Jimmy by Photo ABOUT THE ARTIST

BIO Pianist JOEY ALEXANDER took the world by storm at the age of 10. Now in his teens, the bona fide star returns for a sensational evening of technical prowess and improvisation. Hear astute, original compositions and unique covers from a true phenomenon. “If the word ‘genius’ still means anything, it applies to Joey.” - DownBeat

Too often, talented young artists succumb to believing so much in their own ability that they lose sight of their true potential as significant contributors to their field. Thankfully, there are others

committed to evolving and lifting the Katz Jimmy by Photo music to new levels of appreciation with enthusiasm, engagement, and “My Favorite Things,” with country Director of Programming for Jazz At emotional depth. Enter pianist Joey singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. Lincoln Center and has produced all Alexander, who at the age of 16 has Joey’s storied journey continues with four of Alexander’s albums, says he already recorded two GRAMMY- his new record deal with the historic continues to be impressed by the nominated studio albums, 2015’s . pianist’s fantastic gift. “Joey is such My Favorite Things and 2016’s a huge talent coming out of a young Jamie Krents, Executive Vice Countdown, as well as Joey.Monk.Live!, player, however he wants to create President of Verve Records says of a critically acclaimed surprise release and have fun by playing. It’s not about the signing, “Joey Alexander is a rare from late 2017 to honor Thelonious the accolades or the applause.” artist. To have found his voice as a Monk’s centennial. With his third He added, “ shows what an player and composer so early in his Eclipse studio effort Eclipse, his most amazing journey Joey has been on, career is an exceptional feat. It’s a personal statement to date, Joey and he’s playing with an openness true privilege to welcome him to the takes another giant step forward, and clarity.” demonstrating his aptitude as a Verve Records family.” “Joey has an infectious sense of composer, bandleader and musician, Eclipse, recorded over a three- play and a deep fascination with the hinting at the many artistic paths day period beginning on the day of kaleidoscopic possibilities of jazz,” open to him in the decades ahead. the solar eclipse of 2017, features says Motema founder Jana Herzen, the pianist with a stellar rhythm who signed the artist at age 10. Joey Alexander has had one of the section of bassist “What an amazing adventure these most ascendant careers in jazz, with and drummer , and guest four years have been with Joey. Each four albums under his belt and a appearances by saxophonist Joshua album his musicality gets deeper and performance resume which includes Redman on three tracks. The program broader. Last year with a surprise solo performance on the ranges from jazz classics penned Joey.Monk. , his sophisticated and vibrant 2016 GRAMMY® Awards telecast, a by and , to Live! approach to the music of one of spontaneous and elastic performance ’ hit “Blackbird” and a the most recorded and respected with Wayne Shorter and Esperanza reverent gospel reimagining of the composers in jazz inspired even the Spalding at the White House for 1875 hymn “Draw Me Nearer.” Most toughest of critics to tip their hats. , performing importantly though, Eclipse showcases Now, with he’s emerging as a with and the Jazz Alexander’s significant progress as an Eclipse multi-dimensional composer. I can’t at Lincoln Center Orchestra at New astute composer, writing six of the wait to hear what happens next.” York City’s Town Hall and being the eleven tunes. youngest artist ever invited to lead For , Joey, his family, and Born in 2003 in , Alexander lived Eclipse a band at the producer Jason Olaine decided to in from age eight to ten and in 2015. He has collaborated with change the recording setting from then moved to New York City in 2014, some remarkable musicians including the bustling city to the peaceful where he has experienced one of the , Chris Potter and Dreamland Studios in upstate New most ascendant careers ever seen the aforementioned Grenadier and York. “That was a totally different in jazz. Jason Olaine, a GRAMMY®- Scott among others, and cut a single, winning producer who serves as vibe,” says Alexander. “Everything

PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE 21 ABOUT THE ARTIST was green and it felt like home. It was The tour-de-force centerpiece to the a relaxing time for all of us. It was album is the 10-minute “Eclipse,” that a good change. I found inspiration is a spin through the reflective and there.” the dramatic with the pianist in drive mode. Just after the band took a As a pianist, Alexander is neither studio break to view the solar eclipse flashy nor bombastic. He approaches on August 21, 2017, producer Olaine the instrument with discipline, as suggested that the trio play free and heard on the opening track “Bali,” see where the music would go. The playing subtly and gently in some result ended up as the centerpiece stretches with delicate harmonies, of the album, the 10-minute tour-de- playful and scampering in others as he force, “Eclipse.” displaces rhythms. He also possesses an elemental sense of melody, as “It was totally unprepared,” Alexander heard on the final track, an original says. “After we saw the eclipse, we titled “Peace,” exhibiting the patience came back to the studio and just and instinct to get his melodic started playing without talking. statements just right. “I’ve learned I’m thankful to God that I had the how to be a good listener,” Alexander confidence and courage to do this. says. But it’s also about how much we trust each other. I knew they’d be with me Alexander is joined by tenor titan even though you don’t know where Joshua Redman on the originals you’re going to go on the journey. It’s “Faithful,” about the sacrifices all about exploring the new.” and challenges he and his family have faced in pursuit of his art Olaine notes, “This was an amazing and “Fourteen,” written on his experience for a young artist to birthday, and a nod to the number’s embrace the unknown the way Joey significance in biblical deliverance. did.” Alexander and Redman also explore a With the release of Eclipse, Joey pensive duo take on Ray Nobel’s 1934 Alexander has created an ever more timeless ballad, “The Very Thought of personal and powerful statement You.” of his musical and artistic vision. As on his previous studio dates, His work continues to draw from his Alexander returned to the well of inspirations of the past, while putting Coltrane with his upbeat take on his own progressive stamp on the the harmonic twists and turns of music by constantly exploring, both “Moment’s Notice” from the master’s on stage and in the studio. 1957 album Blue Train. “I love playing Coltrane because he’s so spiritual to me,” Alexander says. “That to me is what jazz is. There’s an uplifting feel to his songs, and I try to put my own take on it.”

22 PERFORMANCES MAGAZINE