TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Jazz prodigy Joey Alexander performs 'Kicir-kicir' for Ahok
Change text size
Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Indonesian jazz prodigy Joey Alexander plays the piano. His performance in Jakarta awed many on Sunday. (joeyalexandermusic.com/-)
I
ndonesian jazz prodigy Joey Alexander had an interesting interaction with Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, who attended his concert at the Jakarta International Expo center in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.
Prior to Joey's performance of the Jakartan traditional song "Kicir-kicir", Ahok was invited to come onto the stage as the song was requested by him.
“I’m just imagining what it would be like if Joey improvised 'Kicir-kicir',” said Ahok as quoted by kompas.com.
(Read also: Joey Alexander plans to insure fingers)
“I heard that Joey was nominated for a Grammy; I must congratulate him and I feel proud that an Indonesian is being widely recognized all over the world. It's not easy playing music with senior musicians,” he added.
Accompanied by jazz vocalist Dira Sugandi and bass player Barry Likumahuwa, Joey later performed the song in which Ahok seemed highly amused by moving his head along to the music. The audiences applauded loudly after the performance ended.
Previously, around mid-February, Ahok tweeted that he was proud of Joey's accomplishment at the Grammy Awards and how he was curious about how the song "Kicir-kicir" would sound if the musician played it.
Turut bangga atas prestasi pemuda Indonesia Joey Alexander di grammy award. Penasaran kl lagu kicir-kicir dibawain @_JoeyAlexander jd gmn ya
— Ahok Basuki TPurnama (@basuki_btp) February 17, 2016
Joey later replied to the tweet, "Will play it for you when I get there. Thank you, Pak Ahok."
will play it for you when I get there 😊 terima kasih Pak Ahok @basuki_btp https://t.co/ImMS8VIOqb
— Joey Alexander (@_JoeyAlexander) March 4, 2016
Several netizens who attended the event tweeted about the interesting interaction between Joey and Ahok.
Malam ini khusus buat @basuki_btp, @_JoeyAlexander akan membawakan lagu "Kicir-Kicir" @NajwaShihab pic.twitter.com/91uyp75NRP
— ADIB HIDAYAT (@AdibHidayat) May 22, 2016
Born in Denpasar, Bali, Joey made history when he became the first-ever Indonesian musician to be nominated for a Grammy. His single “Giant Steps” was in the running for Best Improvised Jazz Solo, while his album My Favorite Things was among the nominees for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
(Read also: Indonesian jazz prodigy receives standing ovation at Grammys)
In late April, Joey had the opportunity to show off his musical talent at the White House in Washington DC on the fifth International Jazz Day, which was opened by US President Barack Obama. (dia/kes)
