"I’m honored to be a part of the Mack Avenue family of amazing artists, and grateful to be able to work and collaborate with a team that I know shares my vision and musical spirit,” enthused Alexander. “These past years have been especially trying for everyone, including those of us who didn’t know when we would ever perform for live audiences again."

The pianist, composer, and bandleader is one of the most emotive and compelling pianist-composers active on the scene today, and while his accomplishments to this point are significant—including being the youngest artist ever nominated for a GRAMMY® Award in a jazz category and receiving two additional nominations shortly thereafter, earning profiles in The New York Times and 60 Minutes, and receiving much more critical acclaim—this is truly the epitome of watching an artist come into his own.

Alexander, who composed the album’s ten compositions during the pandemic, states: "Origin represents a turning point for me – the time when I decided to turn frustration into an opportunity to truly express myself and to rise!” The effusive pianist is joined on his new release by a stellar coterie of players including Chris Potter (sax), Larry Grenadier (bass), Kendrick Scott (drums) and Gilad Hekselman (guitar), all of whom have joined Alexander on previous records and performances with the exception of Hekselman, joining him here for the first time on three tracks. The album was recorded at Sear Sound, June 23-24, 2021 and mixed at The Mud Room.

REVIEW:

Pianist Joey Alexander has been a virtuoso improviser since before he was a teenager. At age 19, he's still a wunderkind, with a sound that deftly straddles the influence of veteran icons like Herbie Hancock and Mulgrew Miller, but with a modern sophistication that's quickly becoming recognizable as his own. It's a sound he puts on full display on his ebullient and sophisticated sixth album, 2022's Origin.

The trio sound like a group of artistic equals. Also on board are two other jazz luminaries in saxophonist Chris Potter and guitarist Gilad Hekselman, both of whom bring their own highly distinctive improvisational voices to the proceedings. Alexander here showcases his writing skills to their fullest, writing and arranging every song. He is a balanced musical guide, commanding attention when necessary, but softly receding elsewhere to let his bandmates shine. This warm give and take happens throughout Origin. It's especially evident on the four mid-album compositions in which Alexander invokes the changing of the seasons. Origin is a soulful, endlessly intoxicating album that builds upon Alexander's early promise as he points the way toward his future.

-- AllMusicGuide.com (Matt Collar)