Joey Alexander Trio

JANUARY Saturday 21, 8:30 pm CORPORATE SPONSOR

Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre, Fairmont Southampton

Joey Alexander Piano The performance will proceed without intermission. Alexander Claffy Bass Ulysses Owens Drums By arrangement with International Music Network

Joey Alexander Born on June 25, 2003 on the island of , believed in me, and that was the day I decided pianist Joey Alexander originally learned about to dedicate my childhood to .” jazz from his dad, who exposed his son to a variety of classic albums from his extensive At nine, Joey won the grand prize at the first collection. At the age of six, Joey began teaching Master-Jam Fest, an all-ages competition in himself to play piano using a mini electronic Ukraine which included 200 competitors from keyboard given to him by his father. He was 17 countries. By 10, he was performing at immediately able to pick out the melody of jazz festivals in both and Copenhagen. Monk’s “Well, You Needn’t,” but he didn’t stop An invitation from led to there. Joey’s dad nurtured his gift of swing and his U.S. debut appearance at Jazz at Lincoln improvisation by taking him to jam sessions Center’s Rose Hall in 2014 where he amazed with veteran musicians in Bali and Jakarta. the audience with his musicality, followed by appearances before the Jazz Foundation of Joey’s musicianship and grasp of jazz America at the Apollo and the fundamentals developed at a remarkable pace, Learning Center at Gotham Hall. Wishing to and at age eight UNESCO invited him to play encourage the continued development of solo piano for an elated during Joey’s prodigious playing, his parents sold the piano great’s visit to . Joey later the family business in Jakarta and relocated remarked to Hancock, “You told me that you to the United States.

The taking of photographs and the use of visit www.bermudafestival.org recording equipment of any kind during for more information performances is strictly prohibited. BERMUDA FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

Alexander Caffey 24 year old Alexander Claffy was raised in and Orin O’Brien. Since moving to New York a musical household (his father is a pianist, City in 2011, he has had the honour of working his mother, a vocalist), and had many of his with many of his living heroes, including Jimmy earliest lessons on bandstands in the heart Cobb, Louis Hayes, Johnny O’Neal, Sean Jones, of Philadelphia. As a teenager, Claffy was Russell Malone, Christian Scott, fortunate enough to find a mentor in many and many more. Philly natives, and has continued his study of the double bass with some of the world’s finest musicians, including Ron Carter, Dwayne Burno

Ulysses Owens Ulysses Owens Jr. is an artist “who takes a In addition to the two Grammy Awards, he has backseat to no one” – The New York Times also received four nominations for his work seems to describe his remarkable ascent as with McBride and Joey Alexander. one of today’s premier drummers, or perhaps Owens is incredibly versatile and has toured his evolution as a producer, composer, educator, and recorded with artists including Christian and entrepreneur. McBride, Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Diane Schur, Renee Fleming, Monty Alexander, Russell Owens has established himself as a leader Malone, and . in his generation of jazz artists, admired for his sensitive, fiery, and complex playing, In the summer of 2015, he was recommended vivid display of textural nuance, and gift for by Wynton Marsalis and propelling a band with charisma and integrity. to compose a work for the Museum of Modern Both humble in person and imposing behind Art Summergarden Series, and he premiered a kit, he is a graduate of the inaugural Jazz “Stages Of Us”, a seven-movement suite, Studies Program at the Juilliard School, a two- at their sculpture garden. Ulysses has been time Grammy Award winner, and he earned honored with a 2015 Jazz At Lincoln Center his stripes as a member of bassist Christian Swing Award, 2014 Global Music Award, McBride’s acclaimed trio and the driving force 2013 ASCAP Plus Award, was designated a of McBride’s big band. 2014 Downbeat Rising Star, and appeared as Ulysses received his first Grammy in 2010 for a TED X Jacksonville performer. He continues his performance on Kurt Elling’s “Dedicated to touring extensively and remains in demand for You”, and his second Grammy for the Christian new projects. McBride Big Band album “The Good Feeling.”

visit www.bermudafestival.org for more information His 2015 debut album for Motema Music, My he says. “I think that writing memorable tunes Favorite Things, garnered two Grammy Award comes from listening to so much music from nominations for “Best Jazz Instrumental Album” composers and artists I like. I actually find it and “Best Improvised Solo” for his performance harder to interpret other people’s songs than to of ’s “Giant Steps”, making him write my own, because I have to figure out and the youngest jazz artist ever nominated for a feel what the song is about and find a way to Grammy. His performances on the 58th Annual make it my own.” Grammy Awards broadcast – far more magical than what was expected - received standing Wynton Marsalis says of Joey, “There has ovations from the star-studded audience, never been anyone that you can think of who bringing his talent to the attention of music could play like that at his age. I love everything lovers everywhere, mesmerizing long-time about his playing – his rhythm, his confidence, industry professionals, and inspiring other his understanding of the music.” Now, as he young musicians to pursue their own dreams. enters his teen years, Joey takes another step in charting his artistic direction with the release of His highly-anticipated sophomore album Countdown. Countdown showcases Joey’s remarkable development as a contemporary jazz “You know, I love both creating music in the bandleader and promise as a composer. He studio and performing for people onstage,” he develops fresh takes on well-known tunes, says, “but I have to admit there’s something combining them seamlessly with his own special about getting a crowd excited by playing original compositions in a way which invites jazz live. In most situations I try to be calm, but both new and seasoned listeners in, and I love the intense energy that happens between reflects the true emotional heart and soul of his me and the audience. When they express their musical personality. “Sometimes, when I’m just appreciation in this way, I am inspired to go practicing or playing something, new melodic deeper as a person and musician, improve my and rhythmic ideas come to me, and I realize craft and create exciting new sounds.” that I’m actually starting to compose a song,” BERMUDA FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS

Patrons

Anthony Aguiar Lady Gibbons Argus Tredick & Robin Gorham David J. Astwood The Green Family J. Christopher & Denise Astwood Fran Griffiths Bruce Barritt Michael Hamer & Clare Warburton Lars & Diana Bergquist Island Restaurant Group Robert & Susan Blee Richard D. Klein Tom & Cal Booth Lars & Kitty Knudsen Gita Blakeney-Saltus Steve Lake & Sheila Nicholl Laura Butterfield Robert Martin & Debbie Reiss Richard & Susan Butterfield Robin Mayor Gordon & Liz Campbell Roger & Mary Mello John & Jean Campbell Tom & Beth Miller John Charman Sylvanus Nawab & Lisa Howie David & Liz Cooper Lady Pearman Timothy & Geralyn Counsell Graham & Susie Pewter Ross & Caitlin Curtis E.T. (Bob) & Pauline Richards Ian & Felicite Davidson Dr. Joanna Sherrat-Wyer & Martin Wyer Hon. Jerome Dill & Myra Dill Gary & Susie Singer Nicholas & Bitten Dill David & Dianne Skinner Alan Dunch Mark Smith & Mariette Savoie Charles & Sandy Dyer Peter & Katherine Watson David Ezekiel Michael Whittall & Michael Spurling Tim Faries Susan Wilson

visit www.bermudafestival.org for more information Sponsors

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

CHRISTIAN HUMANN FOUNDATION

DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE

DRESS CIRCLE

JARDINE GIBBONS PROPERTIES LIMITED

SPONSOR CIRCLE

The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts wishes to acknowledge its deep appreciation to those supporters who wish to remain anonymous.