Joey Alexander, the Grammy-nominated jazz pianist,
composer and bandleader announces the release of his major label debut album,
WARNA (Verve Records). Slated for
release January 31, the album is primarily a collection of reflective, moving
new and original music by an experienced and confident musician. You can
pre-order the album here.
Translating as "color" from Alexander's native
language of Bahasa, WARNA follows four Motéma Music albums that garnered the
pianist three Grammy nominations and such honors as historic critics' and
readers' poll victories in DownBeat and JazzTimes. Joining Alexander on the new
album are bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Kendrick Scott, who comprise the
core piano trio. On select tracks, Venezuelan-born percussion Luisito Quintero,
and flautist Anne Drummond, join on to stunning aural effect.
WARNA unfolds like entries in a road journal. Alexander
channels what he sees, hears and feels from his travels into his astonishing
melodic gift. The track
"Downtime" was written by Joey to honor those special moments that
occur off the concert stage, exploring new cities or just hanging out with family
and friends.
"I wanted to share with people my original work based
on my experiences on the road and onstage playing with different musicians, and
the musical conversations," says Alexander of his new album.
Alexander continues to captivate fans and critics alike. His
performance at NPR's Tiny Desk, was heralded by the outlet as "a set that
ranks among the year's finest jazz performances at the Tiny Desk" and his
undeniable talent was showcased on a 60 Minutesinterview and a Today Show
appearance.
Alexander's live performances have been enthusiastically
received, and he just announced a string of North American tour dates that
include Washington, DC, New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, Toronto, ON, and
Denver, CO. Additionally, in July he
will have two major overseas dates, in Italy at the Umbria Jazz Festival at
Teatro Morlacchi and in the Netherlands at the North Sea Jazz Festival.
*All dates and venues are subject to change
Alexander arrived in New York as a lightning bolt in the
spring of 2014, performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual fundraising gala.
At the helm of a packed-out theater containing some of Manhattan's most elite
arts benefactors, Alexander amazed the audience with a remarkably lyrical
rendition of "'Round Midnight." A standing ovation ensued, and
Alexander hasn't slowed down since. The following spring, the New York Times
wrote in an enthusiastic profile that "For a jazz pianist, the mastery
entails a staggering breadth of knowledge about harmony, rhythm and
orchestration, all converging in an eloquent synthesis. Joey Alexander has a
handle on a good deal of that." From there, he went on to receive three
Grammy nominations, with two of Alexander's four previous albums topping the
Billboard Jazz Albums chart.
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