Young jazz pianist Joey Alexander captures hearts and minds

Joey Alexander, an 11-year-old jazz piano prodigy from Indonesia, has taken the jazz world by storm following the release of his debut album ‘My Favorite Things’. As we reported in early November Joey has been working with some of New York’s finest on this release for Harlem’s Motema Music, the same label that discovered Gregory Porter. 

Wynton Marsalis, Director of Jazz at Lincoln Centre in New York, said, “there has never been anyone that you can think of who could play like that at his age. I loved everything about his playing, his rhythm, his confidence, his understanding of the music."

Joey has impressed with a technical ability that is way beyond his age, but his astounding and inventive musicality enables him to listen and respond to seasoned players whilst playing, like many of the great jazz musicians. The debut album features some of his favourite jazz standards including ‘Lush Life’, ‘It Might As Well Be Spring’, ‘My Favorite Things’, Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’ and a lively rhythmical take on Thelonious Monk’s ‘I Mean You’.

He is now set to play at the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival late in July. Watch this feature on the making of Joey Alexander's much praised debut album.