Eclipse Joey Alexander

• 1 Bali 05:06
• 2 Faithful 09:06
• 3 Draw Me Nearer 04:42
• 4 Moment's Notice 06:35
• 5 Blackbird 05:02
• 6 Eclipse 10:28
• 7 Fourteen 08:04
• 8 The Very Thought of You 05:32
• 9 Space 08:00
• 10 Time Remembered 06:03
• 11 Peace 05:20
• Total Runtime 01:13:58

Info for Eclipse

Too often, talented young artists succumb to believing so much in their own ability that they lose sight of their true potential as significant contributors to their field. Thankfully, there are others committed to evolving and lifting the music to new levels of appreciation with enthusiasm, engagement, and emotional depth. Enter pianist Joey Alexander, who at the age of 15 has already recorded two GRAMMY-nominated studio albums, 2015’s My Favorite Things and 2016’s Countdown, as well as Joey.Monk.Live!, a critically acclaimed surprise release from late 2017 to honor Thelonious Monk’s centennial. With his third studio effort Eclipse, his most personal statement to date, Joey takes 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.

Eclipse album coverEclipse, recorded over a three-day period beginning on the day of the solar eclipse of 2017, features the pianist with a stellar rhythm section of bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Eric Harland, and guest appearances by saxophonist Joshua Redman on three tracks. The program ranges from jazz classics penned by John Coltrane and Bill Evans, to the Beatles’ hit “Blackbird”, and a reverent gospel reimagining of the 1875 hymn “Draw Me Nearer.” Most importantly though, Eclipse showcases Alexander’s significant progress as an astute composer, writing six of the eleven tunes.

“Joey has an infectious sense of play and a deep fascination with the kaleidoscopic possibilities of jazz,” says Motéma founder Jana Herzen, who signed the artist at age 10. “What an amazing adventure these four years have been with Joey. Each album his musicality gets deeper and broader. Last year with Joey.Monk.Live!, his sophisticated and vibrant approach to the music of one of the most recorded and respected composers in jazz inspired even the toughest of critics to tip their hats. Now, with Eclipse he’s emerging as a multi-dimensional composer. I can’t wait to hear what happens next.”

For Eclipse, Joey, his family, and producer Jason Olaine decided to change the recording setting from the bustling city to the peaceful Dreamland Studios in upstate New York. “That was a totally different vibe,” says Alexander. “Everything was green and it felt like home. It was a relaxing time for all of us. It was a good change. I found inspiration there.” Olaine notes, “This was an amazing experience for a young artist to embrace the unknown the way Joey did.”

With the release of Eclipse, Joey Alexander has created an ever more personal and powerful statement of his musical and artistic vision. His work continues to draw from his inspirations of the past, while putting his own progressive stamp on the music by constantly exploring, both on stage and in the studio.

Joey Alexander, piano
Ruben Rogers, double bass
Eric Harland, drums
Guest:
Joshua Redman, tenor saxophone (tracks 2, 7, 8)

Recorded on August 21-23, 2017 at Dreamland Recording Studios, Hurley, NY.

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This album contains no booklet.