COntinuance

Artist: Joey Alexander

Title: Continuance

Release Date: November 3, 2023

Format(s): 

• CD: 6-panel digipak

• LP: regular weight translucent sea blue vinyl in single-pocket jacket

• Digital: HD 96/24 + Dolby Atmos spatial audio

Genre(s): Jazz

Project Description: Pianist/composer Joey Alexander’s seventh album, Continuance, is the story of a critically acclaimed artist at the peak of his creativity, not only as a bandleader but as a celebrated composer. At 20 years old, Alexander has gathered his touring band, consisting of Kris Funn (bass) and John Davis (drums), to translate their unique improvisation on the stage to the studio with the help of trumpeter Theo Croker. Featuring five newly written original compositions and breathtaking renditions of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (made famous by Bonnie Raitt) and the popular hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” Alexander is bound to make new waves on a global level.

"the album continues to spotlight Alexander’s evolving compositional prowess on a program primarily consisting of originals” - Jazziz

"Alexander has developed into a nuanced soloist and composer whose style evokes the blend of his influences, from Bill Evans to Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea.” - AllMusic

"We also get "Zealousy," with its sun-dappled Fender Rhodes atmosphere bringing to mind Head Hunters-era Herbie Hancock.” - AllMusic

"There's a stylistically open-minded quality to much of the album, and Alexander's songs have a nice balance of acoustic modal jazz, '70s fusion, and the more hip-hop-informed aspects you find with many of his contemporaries like Croker.” - AllMusic

"one of the elite names in jazz piano” - All About Jazz

"Alexander's playing shows energy, together with nuances of touch and tone that have established him as one of the best around.” - All About Jazz

"His compositions on Continuance are first rate and the pairing of his band and Croker makes this is a worthy investment for your available listening time.” - All About Jazz

"Joey Alexander is now 20 years old and therefore at an age when others are usually on their way to an international career. However, "Continuance" is already his album number seven and emphasizes the aspect of continuation - out of the environment of child prodigy jubilation and into the sphere of seriousness. With bassist Kriss Funn and drummer John Davis at his side, with trumpeter Theo Croker as a guest on four songs, Alexander focuses on the qualities of interplay and composition, sometimes soloing less and indulging in a few synthetic sounds instead. You can hear role models such as Ahmad Jamal in the chordal phrasing, but also a lot of originality in the balance of force and lyrical clarity. Joey Alexander is on the move." - AUDIIO 

"We won't go back over the boy's 'phenomenon' side. Born in Bali in 2003. Barely ten years later, Joey Alexander was playing alongside Wynton Marsalis at Lincoln Center, before establishing himself in no time as one of the finest musicians of his generation (and an outstanding composer, to boot).  Continuance (his September album) is a further demonstration of this. Surrounded by his usual rhythm section (Kris Funn on double bass and Jon Davis on drums), and a guest of choice (the dazzling trumpeter Theo Croker), Joey Alexander unravels a melodic, groovy jazz of unsurpassed virtuosity over the course of five beautiful original compositions (including a touching cover of Bonnie Raitt's 'I Can't Make You Love Me', as well as a gospel tune)."  - ROLLING STONE

"Joey Alexander is not just continuing the familiar. He has enriched his range of expression." - RONDO