Joey Alexander Warna

At 16, Joey Alexander has already recorded two GRAMMY-nominated studio albums, as well as a critically acclaimed surprise release from late 2017 to honor Thelonious Monk's centennial. With his third studio effort Eclipse, Joey took another giant step forward, demonstrating his aptitude as a composer, bandleader, and musician, hinting at the many artistic paths open to him in the decades ahead. Joey has made appearances on 60 Minutes, The Today Show, and NPR's Tiny Desk series.

Indonesian pianist Joey Alexander’s first Mack Avenue title is also his first to contain all originals, an artistic shift he began with his 2020 Verve release Warna. The precocity he displayed with the music of Monk, Coltrane, and others on earlier releases is still there, as is the unforced, crackling rapport with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Kendrick Scott. Guest appearances by guitarist Gilad Hekselman and saxophonist Chris Potter (playing soprano on “On the Horizon,” tenor on “Winter Blues” and “Rise Up”) add texture and top-tier improvisational firepower. The trio cuts are elegant, a bit on the moody and introspective side, with a season cycle sub-theme interspersed (“Winter Blues” and “Summer Rising” find Alexander on tasty Fender Rhodes, another new element in his evolving sound).