Indonesian-born sensation Joey Alexander taught himself to play jazz piano at age 6 and by age 10 he was playing with Winton Marsalis. Thus began a career which began in Bali studying his father’s jazz record collection and an uncanny depth of connection with the classic standards of this most American of musical arts. A veteran at age 14 (nearly 15), he’s cut four albums and appeared at the Monterey, Newport, Montreal, Java and Copenhagen Jazz Festivals, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. During his second visit to Santa Barbara for UCSB Arts & Lectures he spent some quality time with 33 San Marcos High School students as part of teacher Carolyn Teraoka-Brady’s vocal jazz class, performing, answering questions and playing with them. He was humble and gracious during the hour, beginning with a fine improvisation on one of his compositions, talking about his career and dedication to his art, and jamming with a brave vocalist on “My Favorite Things,” and with some pretty impressive instrumentalists for a few other tunes.
