When listening, Keith Jarrett’s name came to mind several times. Not because Koo’s playing is similar to that of the American master, but because it is of the same exceptionally high level. – Trouw
Alex’ fabulous technique, sounding downright genius at times, is the basis for this dizzying
tour de force of an album. He is also a superbly original composer. – London Jazz News
Such bravura, such virtuosity. (…) Stunning record. ★★★★ – De Standaard
Koo’s compositions and playing are absolutely world class. An album of unparalleled class. ★★★★½ – Written in Music
Wonderful compositions, miles away from the shallowness of the so-called “neo-classical”. In “Sonar”, the longest piece on the album, the improviser in Koo suddenly explodes – and how he does it: free, exalted and timeless! An album that cannot be pigeon-holed. ★★★★ – Jazzthetik
A colorful album that keeps the listener on the edge of his seat for almost forty minutes. ★★★★ – L’Echo
No matter how Koo twists and turns and seems to grab it energetically, the piano becomes a hamster wheel. Clever head, this half-Japanese. – Bad Alchemy
Solo dates 2024:
29/2/24 Concertstudio Conservatorium Kortrijk
24/3/24 Leuven Jazz
28/3/24 De Schakel Waregem
18/5/24 Haconcerts Gent
22/6/24 Midsummer Jazz Festival Ronse
According to the renowned German Jazzthetik, Alex Koo defies categorization. In his home country, he is hailed as the enfant terrible of Belgian jazz (RTBF). For the Belgian-Japanese piano talent, who began as a classical prodigy at the age of five and has since been praised by jazz icons such as Kurt Elling, Kenny Werner and Brad Mehldau, his core values are authenticity, curiosity and playfulness.
“Stunningly original,” he was described by the prestigious Downbeat Jazz Magazine, which also selected his album Appleblueseagreen, featuring heavyweights Mark Turner and Ralph Alessi, for their list of “Best Albums of 2019.” Nationally, superlatives are also brought forth: “Belgium is too small for pianist Alex Koo” (De Tijd).
His most recent solo album, “Etudes for Piano” (W.E.R.F. Records) was described as “an intriguing blend of classical and jazz, where the name Keith Jarrett often comes to mind. Not because Koo’s playing resembles that of the American master, but because it is of the same rare high level” (Trouw). The originality of his music is also evident in his piano playing: “Alex’s fantastic technique, which sometimes sounds downright genius, forms the basis for this dizzying album. He is also an exceptionally original composer” (London Jazz News).
In his Alex Koo Trio, he is joined by drum icon Dré Pallemaerts (Toots Thielemans, Melanie de Biasio, Stéphane Belmondo, Bert Joris) and bass virtuoso Lennart Heyndels (Jef Neve, Ben Sluijs, Kaja Draksler). This Belgian trio guarantees adventurous compositions, hypnotic improvisations, and dynamic interplay.
I was a guest at Belgian national TV channel Canvas as a commentator for the Queen Elisabeth Competition for Piano.
Honored and grateful for the invitation.
Appleblueseagreen feat. Ralph Alessi and Mark Turner included in Downbeat Jazz Magazine‘s Best Albums of 2019!
★ ★ ★ ★ “Stunningly original ” – Downbeat Jazz Magazine
