Origin

Now a veteran of 18, he gives us his first album of original compositions, again showing talent beyond his years, but also an emotional maturity to match. This is deeply thoughtful music played... — The Times, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 24th Jun 2022
Catalogue No: MAC1198LP
Label: Mack Avenue

Jazzwise

Editor's Choice

July 2022
AllMusic

Editor's Choice

May 2022

Origin

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On Origin , celebrated pianist, bandleader, and three-time Grammy nominee Joey Alexander has written the next chapter of his career: composer. His longstanding trio featuring Larry Grenadier and Kendrick Scott is the backbone of his creative freedom, with Chris Potter (a previous collaborator) and Gilad Hekselman joining the fray to bring to life the spectacular vision of Alexander's first full length release of all original music and debut with Mack Avenue Records.

Over the course of his astonishing career, Steinway Artist Alexander has performed with Wayne Shorter and Esperanza Spalding at the Obama White House, for President Bill Clinton at the Arthur Ashe Learning Center Gala, at the Grand Ole Opry, the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall and at major jazz festivals and night clubs around the world. He has also been the subject of profiles on 60 Minutes and The New York Times.

Joey Alexander, now 18, is stepping out as a composer and bandleader as well as a virtuoso pianist. "These past years have been especially trying for everyone, including those of us who didn't know when we would ever perform for live audiences again," Alexander said. "Origin represents a turning point for me the time when I decided to turn frustration into an opportunity to truly express myself and to rise above the circumstances."

Joey Alexander: piano, Fender Rhodes

Larry Grenadier: double bass

Kendrick Scott: drums

Gilad Hekselman: electric guitar (4, 6, 9)

Chris Potter: soprano saxophone (2); tenor saxophone (4, 9)

Reviews

Now a veteran of 18, he gives us his first album of original compositions, again showing talent beyond his years, but also an emotional maturity to match. This is deeply thoughtful music played with plenty of heart. The best news: Alexander’s only just begun.

May 2022

Origin is a soulful, endlessly intoxicating album that builds upon Alexander's early promise as he points the way toward his future.

July 2022

For these acoustic tracks alone, the album not only deserves its four star rating, but, recorded during the two days before his 18th birthday, it charts Alexander's continuing progress to becoming one of the finest of all jazz pianists.

July 2022

Alexander’s stated intent, in laying down the 10 tunes for Origin, was this: to manifest hope amid the pandemic gloom. This intent, more than any thematic concept, is what gives the album its compositional cohesion.

Origin

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Origin

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