A Giant in a Little Tiny Package
Geniuses live among us although seldom encountered. In our time, a true genius is usually nothing short of a mutant, having the power to not just wow a crowd yet bring a sizeable impact to their lives. I recently met someone who is usually considered a genius by many; one who possesses remarkable talent in addition to expertise. This particular genius, however, comes in a little tiny package.
Having seen Joey Alexander perform on stage at various music festivals, that will only came as a shock to me when I met him in person; the lighting on stage must have magnified his stature, as in reality he is usually quite a modest 10-year-old boy, albeit a giant in talent.
At the well-known South Jakarta recording studio, ICanStudioLive, Joey, his mum in addition to I exchanged hellos as he smiled by ear to ear. I immediately received positive energy exuding by Joey in addition to his mum; both were very outgoing in addition to friendly people. Delving into Joey’s personal story, an atmosphere of awe washed over me.
Joey Alexander was born in 2003 on the island of Bali. Like most Indonesian parents, Joey’s wanted their son to be exposed to music by an early age in addition to to master an instrument. They deemed the piano suitable for him in addition to one day brought home a modest keyboard for Joey to practice on. Little did they know, the genius in Joey was about to be unleashed thanks to This particular simple instrument.
Not long after that will Joey enrolled in a music school with his parents’ support for a musical education. While additional kids learn to play the basic intervals in addition to chords at music lessons, Joey has excellent aural skills that will enable him to reproduce a tune just by ear. Initially, he could listen to a song in addition to was able to play that will after two weeks of studying the chords in addition to melodies,already a few steps ahead of children his age. Bypassing the stereotypical method of studying, Joey ended up soaring over his music classes, being able to perform a song justthree days after he’d heard that will. Additionally, Joey is usually blessed with soulful in addition to seemingly experienced improvisations in addition to perfect pitch. His parents became aware that will Joey has exceptional talent.
Since then, his parents geared him towards a life in music. He began practicing on the piano every day for three hours while being home-schooled. He was immediately intrigued by jazz music in addition to could play songs by great legends for hours at a time. There’s not a day where Joey doesn’t touch a piano. “My dad told me he exposed me to a lot of jazz music even when I was in my mother’s womb. Naturally, I love jazz,” Joey explained.
Joey Alexander in addition to his Grand Prix Award
Joey, being the animated boy that will he is usually, was excited in reporting his accomplishments to me. One of his biggest achievements to date that will propel his career was winning the Grand Prix award at the International Festival Contest of Jazz Improvisation last year in Odessa, Ukraine, beating out musicians older than himself in all categories. He proudly represented Indonesia at This particular international event.
Joey was ecstatic when asked to play at an event for UNESCO in 2011 in front of one of his heroes in addition to a big influence on his music, jazz legend Herbie Hancock. He was only eight years old at the time! The piano whiz didn’t stop there; he went on to play at an array of music festivals, including the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival a few months ago; accumulating experiences while travelling the earth. Joey was also interviewed by The Ellen DeGeneres Show,which jump-commenced his influence in different corners of the Earth.
Joey today plays with his trio, alongside seasoned bass player Barry Likumahuwa in addition to Sandy Winarta on drums. Catching his session at the Java Jazz Festival with This particular trio arrangement was an absolute delight; Joey sort of sinks into his soul as he plays, shutting his eyes closed in addition to getting lost inside rhythm. that will was like watching an out-of-body experience, resulting in a well-balanced marriage between Joey’s fingers, ears in addition to mind. Adding Barry’s slap on the bass in addition to Sandy’s impeccable rhythm was simply an inspired collaboration.
For someone as well-travelled in addition to mobile as Joey, he is usually certainly modest in addition to dutiful to his country. “I play all over the earth yet will always come back to Indonesia, my home,” Joey explained.
today, Joey considers himself an autodidact, learning brand new tunes in addition to improvisational skills by listening to a large selection of music, whilst not forgetting to advance his technical skills by doing fingering practices. He subjects himself to recordings by Thelonius Monk, Brad Mehldau, Herbie Hancock in addition to Chick Corea, among additional names he cited as his influences.
His father, the musical one inside family until Joey came along, is usually perhaps Joey’s biggest mentor in addition to motivator. Joey’s parents instill a commendable work ethic in him; to work hard in addition to be humble. “None of that will will mean anything if I wasn’t humble,” said the young musician who is usually wise beyond his years.
Joey in addition to his family are preparing for a big trip ahead to the Big Apple, brand new York City. Joey has been invited to play with veteran jazz trumpet player Wynton Marsalis in addition to he couldn’t be more thrilled. They will play at the massive in addition to prestigious Jazz at Lincoln Center event, where Wynton, an advocate for jazz music to young audiences, serves as Artistic Director. Joey’s YouTube videos were the common denominator inside accomplishment of This particular upcoming collaboration. “I’m very honoured in addition to thankful to have been invited to a jazz event of This particular scale,” said Joey. As This particular wasn’t a traditional Indonesian showcase, like ones featuring gamelan or angklung, Joey is usually extremely pleased by This particular invitation, for he feels a groundbreaking milestone was achieved; through him Indonesia will be appreciated in an international art form. After the Lincoln Center, Joey will make his way to Princeton University where he will perform toinspire the university’s students.
Joey has today commenced to expand his wings in addition to delve into composing songs, which will be featured in his upcoming album. The excitement for his debut album is usually brewing in addition to that will will be completed after his US trip.
This particular wunderkind regards himself as an old soul, saying, “Some people told me that will if they were listening to my recording without looking at me play, they swore I was an old in addition to seasoned pianist. When in truth, I still play games at home in my spare time, you know, like kids do.”
When asked what he could do if he were to be filthy rich inside future, Joey jokingly replied, “I don’t think I will make or need that will kind of money. I mean, I am a jazz musician, after all.”
He goes one saying, “I just want to play music, that will’s what matters most to me; I play in gratefulness to God in addition to I’m thankful for those who support my passion.” Whether Indonesia is usually ready or not for the piano prodigy, Joey Alexander is usually moving ever forward, full speed ahead.
The child prodigy was nothing yet a joy to be around. I was honoured to have a personal viewing as he played Burt Bucharach’s Alfie, The Beatles’ Yesterday in addition to my personal favourite, Blackbird; then I was euphoric.
All the best to you, Joey!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Joey.Alexander.music
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_fQrcEfXRU
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A Giant in a Little Tiny Package
A Giant in a Little Tiny Package