12-year Old Indonesian In Line For A Grammy!

Joey Alexander is not only known as one of the youngest maestros in the world — he is also one of the youngest musicians ever to be nominated at the Grammy Awards! That’s right, this 12-year old prodigy will be competing against other talented musicians of the world in next year’s Grammy’s to be held in February.

The jazz genius has been nominated for two categories — Best Improvised Jazz Solo and Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Although this is a rare occurence, there have been young musicians nominated for a Grammy prior to Joe, namely Michael Jackson and Zac Hanson when they were both 12.

Joey released his first debut Jazz album called My Favourite Things under Grammy-winning label Motema Music. Accompanying Joey on the album are American jazz double bassist Larry Grenadier and two-time winner, drummer Ulysses Owens. Adding to the pool of talnt on the album are three talented young players from the New York scene: Russell Hall (bass), Sammy Miller (drums) and Alphonso Horne (trumpet).

While most people can only afford to dream of being nominated at the Grammy Awards, this young luminary is living that dream.

Joey was born in 2003 at Denpasar, Bali. He first encountered piano when he was only six. He showed signs of being a prodigy — Joey was immediately able to pick out the melody of legendary pianist Thelonious Monk’s “Well, You Needn’t” as well as other jazz standards from his father’s record collection by ear.

His father was an amateur musician who took him to jam sessions with seasoned musicians in Bali and Jakarta all the while introducing him to classic jazz recordings.

If Joey wins either awards at the award ceremony this coming February, he will make history by being the youngest ever person to win a Grammy. Thus far, LeAnn Rimes holds the record — she won Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 39th Grammy Award in 1997 despite being just 14 years old.