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First Indonesian jazz pianist nominated for a Grammy
Gifted: Indonesian jazz pianist, Joey Alexander, 12, further strengthens his position as a world class musician after being nominated for two categories at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016
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Gifted: Indonesian jazz pianist, Joey Alexander, 12, further strengthens his position as a world class musician after being nominated for two categories at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016. (Tempo) (Tempo)
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span class="inline inline-center">Gifted: Indonesian jazz pianist, Joey Alexander, 12, further strengthens his position as a world class musician after being nominated for two categories at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016. (Tempo)
Young and talented pianist Joey Alexander has become the first Indonesian musician nominated for a Grammy, the recording industry's most prestigious award presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Born in Denpasar, Bali, in 2003, Joey has been nominated for two categories at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards in 2016. Joey's single Giant Steps is in the running for Best Improvised Jazz Solo, while his album, My Favorite Things, is in the contest for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
Joey is not only the first Indonesian musician to be nominated for the prestigious awards, but he is also the youngest Grammy nominee in the jazz category.
According to his official website, Joey began to play piano at six. His father, who was an amateur musician, introduced him to the instrument and nurtured his swing and improvisation skills by introducing him to classic jazz recordings and taking him to jam sessions in Bali and Jakarta.
Joey has never received any formal training in jazz, and says he improves his skills by listening to musicians that he likes. He says that his musical influences range from big jazz musicians, including Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Bill Evans to trumpet players such as Clofford Brown, Lee Morgan, Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis.
At his young age, Joey has already been invited to perform at prestigious events, including the Rochester Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center and a TED conference. He also won an international improvisation contest in Odessa, the Ukraine, in 2013. (ebf)(+)
