In Bali, they say, everyone – regardless of profession – is an artist. Making art of some kind is regarded as a daily activity as natural and essential as breathing. But even there, prodigies sometimes emerge whose talents are so…well, prodigious that the rest of the world begins to sit up and take notice. Such a case is Denpasar-born pianist Josiah Alexander Sila, stage name Joey Alexander, who revisits Woodstock this Friday shortly after competing for a Grammy – his third. He turns 14 in June.
Fourteen, and he has already turned the jazz world on its ear in the short period since being recruited by Wynton Marsalis to play at Jazz at Lincoln Center in 2014. Check out his videos on YouTube and you’ll understand why. A fair few talented youngsters who practice really hard develop impressive technical chops; but this kid has a true gift for sophisticated improvisation, and he plays with feeling. Find out why he’s knocking the socks off the jazz cognoscenti, to the point where his tender age seems almost irrelevant.
Jazzstock brings the Joey Alexander Trio with Alex Claffy on bass and Willie Jones III on drums to the Woodstock Playhouse this Friday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $40, $50 and $60 (and yes, this show will sell out, so make your move quickly!). To order, call (845) 679-6900 or visit www.woodstockplayhouse.org/joey-alexander-trio-at-jazzstock. The Playhouse is located at 103 Mill Hill Road (Route 212) in Woodstock.
Join the family! 
