The Joey Alexander Trio at McCarter Theatre Center

Although he will celebrate his 15th birthday this summer, Joey Alexander set the jazz world agog three years ago with his keyboard genius. Born on island of Bali in Indonesia, he began teaching himself to play piano at the age of six, and has been wowing critics and fellow musicians ever since his US debut at Lincoln Center in 2014 at the age of 11. Wynton Marsalis was an early mentor, calling him “my hero who plays with the emotional depth like that a young adult.” Joey’s double-Grammy-nominated first album, My Favorite Things, was followed by Countdown (2016), and his latest, Joey.Monk.Live, on which Joey pays tribute to the pianist and composer who first made an impression on him and who still serves as a guiding inspiration...

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Although he will celebrate his 15th birthday this summer, Joey Alexander set the jazz world agog three years ago with his keyboard genius. Born on island of Bali in Indonesia, he began teaching himself to play piano at the age of six, and has been wowing critics and fellow musicians ever since his US debut at Lincoln Center in 2014 at the age of 11. Wynton Marsalis was an early mentor, calling him “my hero who plays with the emotional depth like that a young adult.” Joey’s double-Grammy-nominated first album, My Favorite Things, was followed by Countdown (2016), and his latest, Joey.Monk.Live, on which Joey pays tribute to the pianist and composer who first made an impression on him and who still serves as a guiding inspiration. He will release his fourth CD in May, with six new compositions. Whatever he plays—whether the songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein or jazz immortals like Coltrane, Monk or Strayhorn—exhibits his deft touch, adventurous spirit, and improvisatory verve. Joey and his trio made their McCarter debut last year in the Matthews Theatre, and return to the intimate Berlind as part of our first June in Jazz Festival.

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