https://soundcloud.com/wuviam1090/interview-with-joey-alexander
On January 14, 2017, the Reichhold Center for the Arts is bringing child prodigy jazz musician Joey Alexander to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He’s 13 years old and started playing when he was six. Listen as Majestik Freedom has a brief conversation with Joey and gets to know a little about him beyond just his music.
Like other children he likes playing video games, watching movies and going to the beach.
His dad who plays a little bit of piano and guitar introduced him to music. He’s self taught, but learned the basics from his father who teaches him about once a month.
He calls his teachers/inspirations Louis Armstrong, Theolonious Monk, John Coltrane, Wynton Marsalis and others. In writing his own music he gets inspiration from spending time with family, friends and sometimes from movies. He practices for 2-3 hours a day and goes to school online. Being homeschooled he has time for balancing his music, family and friends.
When asked how he deals with getting nervous, he responded that he takes a deep breath and prays to God for his talent so that he can enjoy himself while he’s playing.
“Never give up, keep trying, keep listening, always play from your heart and always have fun!”
In addition to performing at Reichhold, he’d also like to go swimming and spend time with other children while he’s on St. Thomas. Majestik and other students from the Sankofa Saturdays Youth Radio Show & Cultural Education Initiative will share local information, pictures, music and attend the concert at Reichhold on January 14 as well as present him with a token of local appreciation.
