Joey Alexander
Joey Alexander is only 10 years old, but he has musical talent well beyond his years.
As CBS 2’s Tracee Carrasco reported, the Jakarta, Indonesia resident began playing at the age of 6, when his father brought home a keyboard. And for Joey, playing the piano just came naturally.
“I hear a song, I try and play and read notes,” Joey said.
Joey’s father said the boy caught on fast.
“When I got back from work, I saw him playing a very complex melody,” said Denny Sila.
10 year old piano virtuoso Joey Alexander (middle) with Billy Crystal (right) and Wynton Marsalis (left). (Photograph by Shulamit Seidler-Feller for Jazz at Lincoln Center)
In just a short time, the self-taught phenom has already taking the jazz world by storm. He has played all over the world and is currently making his debut in the United States — last week at the Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala and on Wednesday night at the ShapeShifter Lab in Gowanus, Brooklyn.
“It makes me excited — my opportunity, my chance — I always give my best,” Joey said.
The soulful and mature sound of Joey’s music makes listeners forget his young age. But his T-shirt and jeans concert attire are reminders of his youthfulness.
While Joey’s musical inspirations are Harry Connick Jr., Herbie Hancock and Bill Evans, he said his true inspiration comes from up above.
“For me, it’s a gift from God that I can do that,” he said.
Joey is currently working on his first CD, and family says they would love to move from Indonesia to New York City — where they believe Joey’s jazz career could really take off.
source: CBS New York