![]() ![]() The New York Times carried a page-one story about him headlined “Joey Alexander, an 11-Year-Old Jazz Sensation, Who Hardly Clears the Piano’s Sightlines.” Last month, CBS’s “60 Minutes” profiled him in a segment narrated by Anderson Cooper that was titled “Little Jazz Man.”ĭespite his growing fame, Joey doesn’t seem too comfortable with the publicity. His superior style and talent – not only for a pre-teen, but for jazz musicians of any age – leads many to call Joey a genius and child prodigy. Last October, Joey played the popular song of his country, Bengawan Solo, in front of Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during his state visit to the U.S. ![]() He also played for many famous people, including former U.S. He has performed at prestigious events, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center 2014 Gala, the 2015 Montreal International Jazz Festival and the 2015 Newport Jazz Festival. Sila said that as a parent, she “would like to protect his development as a child and to raise him fearing God.”Įstablishing his name in the jazz world, Joey won the Grand Prix at age 9 at the 2013 Master-Jam Fest, an all-ages jazz competition in Ukraine. In 2014, with help from some American jazz musicians, including the director of Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis, Joey and his family moved to New York.Īsked by BenarNews whether they had specific expectations regarding Joey’s achievements at this young age, Mrs. While grateful for Joey, the Silas do not put extra pressure on their only child in terms of a future career – instead they are going with the flow. ![]() The Silas decided to leave their tourism business in Bali, moving to Jakarta to allow their son to learn and play directly with the country’s best jazz musicians.Īt the age of 8, he dedicated his childhood to jazz after meeting Herbie Hancock, who was visiting Jakarta and said he believed in Joey’s ability. But unlike the usual stereotypical stage parents, Joey’s case is different. The Silas played an important role in helping Joey reach his potential. “Jazz is a hard music,” Joey told the New York Times, “and you have to really work hard and also have fun performing that’s the most important thing.” He decided to teach himself, accompanied by his father.īut he has not always found his choice of musical genre easy. Joey wanted more freedom and channeled his musical interest through jazz. They did not last long because the teacher focused on classical piano. Only by listening to his father’s album, young Joey learned to play Thelonious Monk’s “Well, You Needn’t.”Īfter watching his son play, Denny Sila brought in a music instructor to give Joey lessons. What Joey did with his keyboard surprised his parents. His love of music started to show when his parents, Denny and Fara Urbach Sila, brought home a small keyboard to channel the energy of their active 6-year-old. And jazz lovers in the United States, where this Indonesian musician lives, are so impressed that he has a chance at music history.īorn and raised in Bali, an island in Indonesia more renown for traditional Balinese dance than modern music, Joey grew up listening to his father’s jazz album collection. Joey may be young, but his talent rival veteran pianists. “I will always work and I will give my best for music,” Josiah, who is better known as Joey Alexander, told BenarNews in a message just days before his chance to shine.īesides the nominations, the award committee announced that he would perform in front of the stars of the musical world during the ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. In 2013 Joey Alexander is again scheduled to perform in several international festivals besides Master-Jam Fest.Listening to him play jazz on a piano, few would think that Josiah Alexander Sila is just 12 years old and a nominee for two Grammy awards Monday night. He has performed in Java International Jazz Festival, Jakarta International Jazz Festival, Jazz Goes To Campus, World Youth Jazz Festival in KL, Indonesia Music House Lokananta- Indosiar TV and music Now at the age of 9, Joey has performed and collaborated with top Jazz musicians in Indonesia among others Indra Lesmana (Pianist/Composer), Benny Likumahua (Legendary Jazz musician/ Trombonist), Idang Rasjidi (Jazz Pianist), Oele Patisellano (Legendary Guitarist), Indro Hardjodikoro (Bass player), Barry Likumahua (Bass player) and also with some visiting Jazz musicians from Europe. In December, 2011 Joey was invited by UNESCO to play solo piano in front of Jazz Icon Herbie Hancock during his visit to Indonesia as United Nations Ambassador. But his real enjoyment is sitting in for jam sessions.” – says his father. “He started piano lessons at the age of 6. When he was 6 years old, his parents brought home a mini keyboard and to their astonishment Joey could play a melody line of 'Well you needn't' (a Jazz piece written by Thelonious Monk). Joey Alexander is considered to be a Jazz Prodigy in Indonesia. ![]()
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