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Joey Alexander: Origin

By Peter Jones
July 5, 2022
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Pianist

Joey Alexander

piano
b.2003

" data-original-title="" title="">Joey Alexander was never going to spend his life churning out standards. You could tell from his reimagined version of "Giant Steps," the first track on his 2015 debut album, which begins with a dazzling two-minute solo introduction. The same album also features an original tune, the prowling "Ma Blues." It was clearly only going to be a matter of time before he came up with an all-originals album, and so it is with this, his sixth outing. Meanwhile he has moved to Detroit's Mack Avenue label, whose roster includes other young, like-minded pianists including

Christian Sands

piano
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Christian Sands and

Aaron Diehl

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Aaron Diehl.

Just turned 19, but way beyond needing to prove himself, Alexander demonstrates a growing emotional maturity that has added depth to his playing and thoughtfulness to his compositions: Cases in point: the meditative "Midnight Waves" or the ballad "Hesitation," with its serene pentatonic melody and

Keith Jarrett

piano
b.1945

" data-original-title="" title="">Keith Jarrett-like warmth and sweetness.

Musical continuity is present in the shape of long-time collaborators

Larry Grenadier

bass, acoustic
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Larry Grenadier on bass and

Kendrick Scott

drums
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Kendrick Scott on drums. On a few tracks the trio is augmented by

Gilad Hekselman

guitar
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">Gilad Hekselman on guitar and/or the ubiquitous

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Potter on tenor or soprano sax. Both appear on "Winter Blues" (part of a mini-suite on a seasonal theme) and "Rise Up." The former is a strutting, syncopated waltz that sees Alexander switch to Fender Rhodes while his guests play the melody in unison; the latter is essentially a funk tune, but so rhythmically complex that it defies attempts at foot-tapping. You can also sometimes hear what he's been listening to: the melody of "Angel Eyes" (a new song, not the standard) hints at "I've Never Been in Love Before."

The best thing about Origin is that for all its accessibility; you never feel you have quite heard everything it has to offer, hence the repeated plays.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Remembering; On the Horizon; Dear Autumn; Winter Blues; Promise of Spring; Summer Rising; Midnight Waves; Angel Eyes; Rise Up; Hesitation.

Personnel

Joey Alexander

piano

Larry Grenadier

bass, acoustic

Kendrick Scott

drums

Gilad Hekselman

guitar

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: Origin | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

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