Piano Wunderkind Joey Alexander Celebrates Album Debut With NYC Release Concert At Jazz At Lincoln Center (Dizzy's Coca Cola Club) April 30th

Joey Alexander -- the young wunderkind pianist who has become an international sensation in the past three years and counts Wynton Marsalis and Herbie Hancock as fans -- will perform with his trio at Dizzy's Coca Cola Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center on Thursday, April 30th. This is Joey's NYC release concert to celebrate his album debut, 'My Favorite Things,' coming out May 12th on Motema Music.

The Dizzy's show and album release are just the beginning of a year that will see him perform at the Newport Jazz Festival, the Rochester Jazz Festival and other popular venues. He recently performed at the TED conference in Vancouver, and Wired described his performance as full of "passion and poise."

Born on the island of Bali in the city of Denpasar in 2003, Joey Alexander first encountered a piano at the age of six, and was immediately able to pick out Thelonious Monk melodies by ear. He developed his jazz chops by listening to the greats and jamming with local musicians. He was subsequently featured at jazz festivals in both Jakarta and Copenhagen, and won the international improvisation contest in Odessa, Ukraine. Joey was discovered by Wynton Marsalis in 2014, who invited him to participate in his all-star Jazz At Lincoln Center Gala. Joey wowed the audience, with the New York Times calling him "technically fluent and harmonically astute" and Downbeat declaring him "a genius."

'My Favorite Things' features Joey performing an original song, classics from the American Songbook and cuts from jazz legends like Coltrane and Monk. Joey brings not only prodigious technique but a mature sense of taste to songs like "My Favorite Things," "'Round Midnight" and "Giant Steps":

Watch a behind-the-scenes video of Joey making this album. In it, Joey discusses his love of Monk, Chick Corea and Coltrane. It also includes interviews with bassist Larry Grenadier, album producer Jason Olaine (a GRAMMY winner) and others who worked the record:

Praise for Joey Alexander:
"If the word "genius" still means anything, it applies to this prodigy" -- Downbeat

"Technically fluent and harmonically astute" -- The New York Times

"Magnificent not only for his virtuosity -- plenty of prodigies have outsized chops -- but for his maturity and perception" -- Jazz Times

Thursday, April 30th
WHO: Joey Alexander Trio
WHERE: Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola (Jazz at Lincoln Center - 10 Columbus Cir, New York, NY 10019)
WHEN: 7:30pm and 9:30pm