Still young in years and already a big name, that is the fate of a musical genius. Born in Bali, Indonesia he started his professional career in 2013. He released his debut album My Favorite Things in 2015, followed by Countdown (2016), Joey. Monk. Live! (2017), Eclipse (2018) and Warna (2020). His new album Origin will be released on Mack Avenue Records May 20, 2022.

For the first time jazz pianist Joey Alexander aka Josiah Alexander Sila will present what he really is. On his new album he is accompanied by Larry Grenadier (upright bass), Kendrick Scott (drums), Gilad Hekselman (electric guitar) and Chris Potter (sax). He has since shed the status of a child prodigy to be showcased and, in a departure from previous jazz standards, concentrates on the tonal mapping of his own jazz compositions.

The album opens with Remembering. While his first creative years passed like a frenzy, the pandemic gave him time for self-reflection and opportunity to reposition his musical location. It gave him to reflect on his own creativity after thinking back on what he had created and achieved, and this song also reveals the jazzy roots that influenced him in his younger years.

The next piece On The Horizon is forward looking and answers the question of how Joey sees his future. First, he lets his fellow player Chris Potter unfold lyrically and improvising on soprano sax in familiar bebop style before venturing into the complex answer himself at first hesitantly keystroking then with a more forceful certainty.

Dear Autumn reminds us not only of the time of falling leaves, but also of the harvest season. Thus, the piece under Joey's fingers does not turn out melancholically contemplative but rather creatively gripping. The cycle of the seasons continues with Winter Blues. However, Joey does not surrender to the darkness of the pandemic winter but sees his music as an antidote to winter melancholy. Thus, despite its Bebop antics, the piece is basically uplifting in character.

Promise of Spring embodies the emerging hope when the world begins to bloom and temperatures slowly rise. Thus, from his piano, the notes swirl like flowers blossoming everywhere, spreading a feeling of joyful expectation. Finally, the joy of playing explodes in Summer Rising, where guitarist Gilad Hekselman drives Joey to masterful meticulousness with ecstatic finesse.

Midnight Waves has its origins in an extensive visit Joey made to his home island of Bali, where he stayed near the sea. This inner peace and tranquility, which is also reflected in the balanced state of mind of its inhabitants (except Kuta), runs like a thread through this track.

Angel Eyes has so much melodic harmony that it almost crosses into the realm of smooth jazz, but Joey skillfully avoids this with a stronger jazz throwback. Rise Up conveys a touch of rehearsal however, turns out to be a virtuoso glide through freejazzy territories.

Hesitation finally brings calm to the jazz-laden album, in which Joey reflects on a melody that could easily have come from a 1950s Broadway musical.

Origin leaves one back in a state of awe. When you realize that Joey Alexander is only 18 years old, you can only appreciate the extent of his ingenious talent, which is now evident not only in his mastery of the piano but also in his compositional skills.

 

 

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Album Information

Title: Origin
Artist: Joey Alexander
Year: 2022
Genre:Jazz
Label: Mack Avenue Records

Tracks:

1) Remembering (5:44)
2) On the Horizon (5:28)
3) Dear Autumn (5:38)
4) Winter Blues (7:13)
5) Promise of Spring (4:29)
6) Summer Rising (5:56)
7) Midnight Waves (6:21)
8) Angel Eyes (4:19)
9) Rise Up (5:12)
10) Hesitation (2:20)