When I was 14, the Beatles had just broken through in America and would soon usher in an era that displaced 50's Rock and Roll. Bob Dylan was all the rage in some sects but I would not be able to relate for a number of years yet. And Motown was in its infancy. But when a childhood friend brought me into his bedroom and played an LP of some fellow named John Coltrane, I was instantly hooked. Jazz became a life-long passion. Unfortunately, for many years now, many critics have had serious reservations about the ability of that art form to maintain sustained popularity, including the great Wynton Marsalis, who has done more than any living person to educate the public and especially youth about jazz.
It was therefore with total and utter shock that I learned of a new comet in the jazz heavens by the name of Joey Alexander. I nearly crapped in my pants after watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4V_uaxBVOw
His new album is called "My favorite things" (obvious homage to one of Coltrane's most popular songs) and was released 2 days ago on Amazon. He will also be on the Today Show tomorrow morning May 14th. By the way, the first song I ever heard Coltrane play? Giant Steps. All I can say is that I'm glad I lived long enough to see this unbelievable talent appear on the scene, because it gives hope that jazz is alive and well and will be for some time to come.
Oh, by the way, the kid is twelve years old and he's from Bali (hardly the epicenter of the jazz world as far as I know).
It was therefore with total and utter shock that I learned of a new comet in the jazz heavens by the name of Joey Alexander. I nearly crapped in my pants after watching this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4V_uaxBVOw
His new album is called "My favorite things" (obvious homage to one of Coltrane's most popular songs) and was released 2 days ago on Amazon. He will also be on the Today Show tomorrow morning May 14th. By the way, the first song I ever heard Coltrane play? Giant Steps. All I can say is that I'm glad I lived long enough to see this unbelievable talent appear on the scene, because it gives hope that jazz is alive and well and will be for some time to come.
Oh, by the way, the kid is twelve years old and he's from Bali (hardly the epicenter of the jazz world as far as I know).
