Program Book Insert - The Joey Alexander Trio

Thursday, April 20, 2017

THE

joey ALEXANDER TRIO Bios Alexander Claffy - Bass Willie Jones III - Drums

Our Mission

Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. The 2016-2017 season is made possible, in part, by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, F.M. Kirby Foundation and other numerous foundations, corporations and individuals.

As a courtesy to the artists and for the uninterrupted enjoyment of your fellow patrons, please turn off all cell phones, pagers, beepers and other electronic devices. Please unwrap any lozenges before the performance begins. No portion of this performance may be photographed, recorded, filmed, taped, broadcast or mechanically reproduced without the written consent of the Artist and/or the Presenter. Mayo Performing Arts Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

The Joey Alexander Trio Alexander Claffy - Bassist 23-year old Alexander Claffy was raised in a musical household (his father is a pianist, his mother, a vocalist), and had many of his earliest lessons on bandstands in the heart of Philadelphia. As a teenager, Claffy was fortunate enough to find a mentor in many Philly natives, and has continued his study of the double bass with some of the world's finest musicians, including Ron Carter, Dwayne Burno and Orin O'Brien. Since moving to New York City in 2011, he has had the honor of working with many of his living heroes, including Johnny O'Neal, Jimmy Cobb, Louis Hayes, Sean Jones, Russell Malone, Christian Scott, Wallace Roney and many more. In the past 3 years, he has appeared on records with Victor Lewis, Orrin Evans, JD Allen and more.

Alexander currently resides in Harlem.

Influenced by the rich soulful energy of the West Coast bop movement, Black Note's hardswing sound propelled them to first place in the prestigious John Coltrane Young Artist Competition in 1991. Jones contributed his skillfulness as both musician and producer on all four Black Note recordings: 43rd & Degnan and L.A. Underground (World Stage Records), Jungle Music (Columbia) and Nothin' But the Swing (Impulse!). By 1994, the band had toured Europe and across the U.S. and was the opening act for Wynton Marsalis.

Near the end of 1994, while Jones was reaching for a higher level of drumming dexterity, he gained the privilege of playing sideman to the renowned vibist Milt Jackson, where Jones learned the importance of pacing and sensitivity. Meanwhile, his musical career continued to unfold. From 1995 through 1998, he was a member of Arturo Sandoval's Willie Jones III - Drummer band and is featured on Sandoval's GRAMMYÂŽ With an unparalleled style of rhythmic award winning release Hot House (N2K). expression, drummer Willie Jones III is one of Subsequently, Jones recorded with Horace the world's leading jazz drummers. In addition Silver on Jazz Has a Sense of Humor (Impulse!). to honoring his monumental influences the From 1998-2005, Jones was a member of Roy late greats Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey and Hargrove's Quintet and is featured on Roy Billy Higgins Jones' bold articulation and Hargrove's CD releases on Verve: Moment constantly innovative sense of swing are To Moment, Hard Groove, Nothing Serious results of his lifelong musical experience. and RH Factor's Distractions. Jones can be Born in Los Angeles, California on June 8, 1968, Jones' earliest exposure to music was through his father, Willie Jones II, an accomplished and notable jazz pianist, who offered guidance and inspiration to his gifted son. Dedicated to the further development of his skills, the younger Jones spent the next few years working diligently with acclaimed drummers and music instructors and began performing with distinguished musicians by the time he was in his teens. He completed his academic training after receiving a full scholarship to the California Institute of the Arts where he studied under the tutelage of the legendary Albert "Tootie" Heath. Before he was a semifinalist in the 1992 Thelonious Monk Jazz Drum Competition, Jones cofounded jazz band Black Note.

heard on a host of recordings including Kurt Elling's GRAMMYÂŽ nominated Night Moves (Concord) and Eric Reed's Here (Max Jazz). Jones has worked with Sonny Rollins, Ernestine Anderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Wynton Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Frank Wess, the Dizzy Gillespie AllStar Big Band, Houston Person, Billy Childs, Eric Reed, Ryan Kisor, Eric Alexander, Bill Charlap, Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock and Hank Jones. In 2000, Jones' released his debut CD, Vol 1...Straight Swingin' on his own label, WJ3 Records.

He continues to reveal his proficiency as a composer as well as a producer on Vol II...Don't Knock The Swing (2002); Volume III (2007); WE 2 (2008), a trombone and piano recording featuring Wycliffe Gordon and Eric Reed; and Jones' latest release The Next Phase (2010).

*To read about pianist Joey Alexander, please refer to the main program.

OUTSTANDING PIANISTS

April

Ellie Cullin Grade 10, Madison High School, Madison, Nominated by Russ Batsch Ellie is a piano player in jazz band, pit orchestra, and plays the marimba in Marching Band. Ellie is amazing, she learned the pit book in under 1 month. Her dedication to the piano and keyboard is really quite impressive. Ellis has been taking private instruction for almost 10 years now, and can seriously play just about anything that is asked of her. On top of that she is a super nice kid, with great manners and a really impressive work ethic.

Jessica Currao Grade 8, Brooklawn Middle School, Parsippany Nominated by Joseph Stella Jessica is currently a tenor saxophone player in our 9th grade band, but she is also a wonderfully talented pianist. She has played piano in our middle school jazz band and pit orchestra and has worked diligently to learn these challenging parts. Outside of school she has won piano competitions and has performed in winner’s recitals at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.

Clara Gong Grade 12, Morristown High School, Morristown, Nominated by David Gallagher Clara is an extremely talented piano player who has been an absolute joy to work with over her years in high school. She is a very talented soloist performing works for the classical canon in recitals and chamber performances at the school. Clara also uses her talents at the piano to help numerous musical organizations throughout the school. She has frequently accompanied the high school choirs for their Spring and Winter concerts. She has also played in the pit orchestras for several of the school musicals at both of the middle school and high school. In addition to playing piano, Clara is also a very fine violin player participating in the high school orchestra and select chamber orchestra.

Samantha Howden Grade 7, Ridgedale Middle School, Florham Park, Nominated by Sondra Paulson Samantha is a remarkable musician, participates in the choral program at Ridgedale, where she has accompanied the chorus. She has participated in the New Jersey Federation of Music Clubs music festival every year and has received a Superior rating every year. She entered the MEA Honors auditions and performed in the MEA Honors recital the last three years. She participates in the MEA annual auditions every year and has always received an Outstanding rating. She has performed at Carnegie Hall the last four years after placing Gold in the Golden Keys Music Festival Competition. She will be performing at Carnegie Hall this coming May after placing Silver in the Golden Key Music Festival Competition. Samantha studies piano with Barbara Landi Hause in Florham Park.

Ella Huang Grade 8, The Peck School, Morristown, Nominated by Andrew Lyman Ella has proven to be a very serious pianist and all around musician both in and out of school.

Ella has participated in various musical ensembles at The Peck School such as choir, the winter musical, and the upper school talent show. She has shown great artistic promise in the area of piano by participating and placing in many area competitions and music festivals such the 2016 Golden Key International Music Festival (gold medalist) and the 2016 Music Educators Association of NJ Piano Competition (second place). Ella is a superb musician who is always eager to perform, shows a genuine interest in music, and is extremely modest about her abilities which far exceed others’ talents.

The 2016-2017 Music Student of the Month program is sponsored by The Provident Bank Foundation

Christopher Kopreski Grade 11, West Morris Central High School, Chester, Nominated by Margret Schaefer Junior jazz pianist Chris Kopreski has been the foundation of the rhythm section in the West Morris Central HS Jazz Band for three years. Combining fluid technique, tasteful and appropriate style, and musical maturity beyond his years, Chris is comfortable playing funk, rock, swing, bebop, and Latin styles. His ability not only to play what’s on the page but also to comp and improvise sets him aside from other high school musicians. Away from the piano, Chris also excels academically and on the stage.

Jasmine Meyer Grade 8, Black River Middle School, Chester, Nominated by Kathleen Vespignani Jasmine is an incredibly accomplished musician, having experience as a singer and instrumentalist. Ms. Meyer has been a part of the various musical ensembles at Black River Middle School, including Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Chorus, and Select Chorus. Her piano skills are like no other that I have seen or heard in a very long time. Jasmine’s dedication to her musical craft is amazing and inspiring to others her age. She has performed in competitions and for school performances, both on a local stage and in more prestigious venues. She is a dedicated artist and works to the standards of a true virtuoso.

Andrew Rosenkilde Grade 10, Morristown High School, Morristown, Nominated by Michael Russo Andrew is the Pianist in the Morristown High School Jazz Ensemble and a Percussionist in the Morristown HS Wind Ensemble. He is also a member of the Marching Band and the Pit Orchestra.

Andrew has proven to me by participating in these ensembles that he can be responsible and manage his time well. He has also participated in many other musical activities outside of MHS that have enhanced his knowledge and appreciation of music including Private Piano Study, 3 time Gold winner for the Golden Key piano competition, performed at Golden Key winners recital at Carnegie Hall 2 times (3rd time in June 2017), and has opened for professional pianist Alina Kiryayeva’s concert at Morristown’s Methodist Church’s Abendmusik recital series.

Siwagorn “Net” Soper Grade 9, Jefferson Township High School, Oak Ridge, Nominated by James Wynne Net has already demonstrated his fine technical mastery of the piano keyboard. He is only a freshman, but he exhibits great promise for the coming years, especially as a piano accompanist for the high school chorus. He has also demonstrated an acute sense of pitch, making him one of my leaders within the tenor section of the chorus. I am looking forward to seeing Net accomplish great musical heights over the next few years.

Evelyn Tomaro Grade 8, Chatham Middle School, Chatham, Nominated by Christie Spriggs Evelyn is an outstanding pianist. She has been playing piano and competing successfully on the instrument for several years. She has additionally performed at several places including Carnegie Hall. Evelyn has actively participated in our school district as an accompanist for the elementary and middle school choral groups for the past four years. She has recently written a piece of music on the piano that she is currently transcribing for our 8th grade band to perform in the spring.

Sarah Wang Grade 12, Kinnelon High School, Kinnelon, Nominated by Bonnie Hendricks Sarah plays an integral part in all aspects of the Kinnelon High School Music Department and always encourages her peers by the effective leadership of her example. She is currently a member of our percussion section in our Honors Wind Ensemble class, Jazz Band, and a vocalist in our Contemporary Choir. Sarah has continued to study the piano and has performed as a soloist for many school and community functions in Kinnelon. The success of her continued dedication to the study of music and piano performance can be seen through her many accolades, including high place rankings at the Crescendo International Music Competition, Golden Key International Music Festival, NJMEA Young Artist Solo Competition, and solo performances at Carnegie Hall.

Frank Zhang Grade 12, Randolph High School, Randolph, Nominated by David Miller Over the course of four years Frank has gone from a student who never had played jazz to an excellent jazz musician and band leader. I helped introduce Frank to the music and various ways to practice, and he took it from there. Frank has been featured as a solo pianist at the RHS annual jazz concerts every year. Frank has formed a combo that has played numerous dates over the past two years. His example is one I point out to all my students. In my estimation, Frank’s hard work and dedication to his craft have earned him the honor of being named jazz musician of the month.