Origin Joey Alexander

• 1 Remembering 05:44
• 2 On the Horizon 05:28
• 3 Dear Autumn 05:38
• 4 Winter Blues 07:13
• 5 Promise of Spring 04:30
• 6 Summer Rising 05:56
• 7 Midnight Waves 06:21
• 8 Angel Eyes 04:19
• 9 Rise Up 05:12
• 10 Hesitation 02:21
• Total Runtime 52:42

Info zu Origin

On "Origin," celebrated pianist and bandleader Joey Alexander has written the next chapter of his career: composer. His longstanding trio featuring Larry Grenadier and Kendrick Scott is the backbone of his creative freedom, with Chris Potter (a previous collaborator) and Gilad Hekselman joining the fray to bring to life the spectacular vision of Alexander’s first full length release of all original music and debut with Mack Avenue Records.

"Pianist Joey Alexander has been a virtuoso improviser since before he was a teenager. At age 19, he's still a wunderkind, with a sound that deftly straddles the influence of veteran icons like Herbie Hancock and Mulgrew Miller, but with a modern sophistication that's quickly becoming recognizable as his own. It's a sound he puts on full display on his ebullient and sophisticated sixth album, 2022's Origin. The album follows his equally impressive 2020 effort Warna and again finds him leading his trio with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Kendrick Scott. While this version of the Alexander trio already sounded like they had a deep musical familiarity on Warna, here they feel even more connected -- sounding less like experienced veterans backing a young star, and more like a group of artistic equals. Also coming on board this time are two other jazz luminaries in saxophonist Chris Potter and guitarist Gilad Hekselman, both of whom bring their own highly distinctive improvisational voices to the proceedings. While in the past Alexander has explored jazz standards alongside his original compositions, on Origin he showcases his writing skills to their fullest, writing and arranging every song. And it's not just his writing that has grown -- Alexander has matured into a balanced musical guide, commanding attention when necessary, but softly receding elsewhere to let his bandmates shine. This warm give and take happens throughout Origin. It's especially evident on the four mid-album compositions in which Alexander invokes the changing of the seasons, a song cycle that starts with his dancerly trio piece "Dear Autumn." Next, Potter and Hekselman share the spotlight on "Winter Blues," trading knotty tenor and guitar lines over Alexander's luminous Fender Rhodes chords; all of which brings to mind the crunchy, organic post-bop of players like John Scofield and Michael Brecker. From there, Alexander eases into the sparkling trio piece "Promise of Spring," before Hekeselman returns for the dewy kineticism of "Summer Rising." Other generous moments pop up throughout as Potter takes the lead on "On the Horizon," his majestic and throaty soprano lines floating ship-like over Alexander's blue piano waves. Origin is a soulful, endlessly intoxicating album that builds upon Alexander's early promise as he points the way toward his future." (Matt Collar, AMG)

Joey Alexander, piano (all tracks), Fender Rhodes (4, 6)
Larry Grenadier, double bass (all tracks)
Kendrick Scott, drums (all tracks)
Gilad Hekselman, electric guitar (4, 6, 9)
Chris Potter, soprano saxophone (2), tenor saxophone (4, 9)

Joey Alexander
A native of Bali, Joey Alexander taught himself to play piano by listening to classic jazz albums his father shared with him. An amateur musician, Alexander’s father soon recognized his son’s gift for jazz, as his technique and ability to grasp complicated musical concepts was beyond someone of his years. Due to the lack of jazz education where he lived, Alexander began attending jam sessions with senior musicians. From there, his musical intuition flourished, as did his love of playing jazz. In recognition of his talent, UNESCO invited Alexander to play solo piano in honor of his jazz idol Herbie Hancock, who provided early enthusiastic support to Alexander’s budding career. Other significant influences are Thelonious Monk, Bill Evans and John Coltrane. Alexander has a special affinity for trumpet players including Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis.

The world has taken notice of this phenomenal and exciting pianist with the astonishing technique and soulful sound. Alexander has been featured at festivals worldwide including Jakarta's International Java Jazz Festival and the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. His brilliance as an improviser won him the Grand Prix in the 1st International Festival Contest of Jazz Improvisation in Odessa, Ukraine, in 2013, which included over 43 talented jazz professionals from 17 countries. He has performed for President Clinton and other luminaries at galas including the Arthur Ashe Gala, Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual gala and A Great Night in Harlem at The Apollo, where he played in honor of Hancock and received a standing ovation. A performance at the University of the District of Columbia immediately blew up Facebook, attracting half a million views.

Global media have shared his story, most recently NBC News New York, which featured his concert with Juilliard students to raise money to allow him to stay in New York City. Fortunately the concert was successful and Alexander was granted the O-1 visa, the visa granted to people with "extraordinary ability." He plans to stay in New York City to continue honing his jazz chops in the jazz capital of the world.

Alexander’s exclusive worldwide recording deal with the maverick, multi-Grammy-nominated Motéma Music label in New York City includes him in a notable stable of jazz piano stars such as Geri Allen, Monty Alexander and Marc Cary. Alexander’s label debut My Favorite Things features his working band of Sammy Miller, Russell Hall and Alphonso Horne and special guests Larry Grenadier and Ulysses Owens, Jr. The recording is slated for release in spring of 2015 and is produced by Jason Olaine, a multi-Grammy Award winner.

Dieses Album enthält kein Booklet