Alex Levin, Pianist
29 reviews- New York City, NY
- Jazz Band
- Travels nationwide
- $200 per hour and up
Overview
For nearly a decade Alex has been entertaining New Yorkers at private parties and events. Perhaps you've already enjoyed his playing at a friend's soiree or an intimate jazz club. Alex's elegant, swinging style evokes the classic New York jazz of the 40's and 50's. His latest record, New York Portraits, has been hailed by critics as "a Masterpiece." Please consider booking him--either as a solo pianist or with his sparkling trio--for your special event.
29 Reviews
Great dinner jazz played with style.
Jazz Pianist
Alex did a great job playing for a mixed crowd of adults and young children!
Pianist
I got in touch with Alex via Gigsalad. He wasn't able to play my "gig" but he was able to organize fellow musicians. I wanted a trio for an authentic Irish Wake at my home. The space was tight on the second floor landing. We exchanged text messages, photos, he shared a link on YouTube. It was all organized easily through technology, and I was very confident that Alex would provide the level of quality he outlined to me. We had keyboards, bass, and horn. It was phenomenal. They played the American Standard songbook music, plus asked for my Dad's/Family's favorite Irish songs. The musicians were very professional. They played for five hours without breaks - that was a condition of our contract. Everyone commented on the music. As we all know, music can make or break a great event! Nothing but compliments for Alex and his fellow musicians. I highly recommend them.
Jazz Pianist, Keyboard Player
Alex and his band made our wedding such a special event. The music was just perfect and we were only sad when it was all over and we could no longer dance anymore! Each of the artists were so skilled and the different blends were just perfect. We were fortunate to have Alex play for us as we walked down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Link (he chose the perfect song!), and the rest of the band and himself for our cocktail hour and reception. Our guests loved every minute and my husband did not want to leave the dance floor. Our wedding would not have been the same without Alex Levin and his amazing musicians, many thanks!
Jazz Band, Jazz Pianist
Alex Levin and his bass player transformed what would have been a quiet luncheon into an elegant and wonderful party. We look forward to using his services again.
Jazz Pianist
I had such a great time playing with Alex and his bass player Phil! I am a jazz vocalist from Sacramento but needed a band to back me for an event in NYC. Not only are they both incredibly talented, they were on time and very professional. Very nice guys! I would and will hire them again in a heartbeat and for sure recommend them! Thank you, Alex!!!
Jazz Band
I happened to hear the Alex Levin Trio play at a recent private party. Wow! What a sumptuous gift for my ears! My eyes were also so thrilled to witness the lively and intimate interplay between the band members. They were all dressed quite professionally and really upped the elegance and class of the party I attended. I would not hesitate to hire Alex Levin and I would recommend him with ebullience to anyone who happens to be looking for music for his/her event. - Natalie L.
We hired Alex Levin Trio for our award ceremony and it just made the event. I had the president of our council and other folks comment to me what a difference the music and this trio made to the event.
Highly recommend and will use them next time, for sure!
Jazz Band
We used Alex Levin for our holiday party for the past 2 years. He did a great job. We really enjoyed the musical sets he played for us. He was also extremely easy to work with and accomodating.
Jazz Band
Alex,
Thank you the fabulous performance by your jazz trio at our home on Halloween. You turned what was a fun cocktail party into what many of our guests claimed was the best party of the year.
The compliments didn’t stop there. We had the windows wide open so the ghost and goblin crowd passing by could enjoy your exhilarating and exceptionally performed music all down the block. One acquaintance later told us that he stopped in front of our house, captivated by your music. Several listeners were applauding your trio from the street. So in effect, your music was an evening gift to the neighborhood.
The interplay of energy between the three of you as you fed off of each other‘s playing as well as the excitement in the room was thrilling. You are brilliantly talented and we are so grateful that you shared your gifts with us on Halloween. Here’s to next year!
Our best,
Jane and Dexter
Jazz Pianist
Our cocktail party guests were surprised and delighted to arrive at our home and hear Alex on the piano. He added the perfect touch to what became a perfect evening.
Jazz Pianist
I feel so lucky to have had the Alex Levin Trio play for my wedding. The ambiance created by their sound was incredible, and they became much more than "background music"... they definitely recruited a few fans that night! They are also very versatile.... they can take any song and jazz it up. Since I'm a huge Beatles fan, they arranged "Dear Prudence" for me to close out their set. It was highly appreciated!
Jazz Band
Alex was wonderful to work with. He was hired to play at an anniversary dinner, where one of the people wanted to sing songs. He worked with that person and was very pleasant and reassuring to her. He played before and during dinner, and really added to the ambience of the evening. He was easy to communicate with, arranged all of the setup with the restaurant and was there and set up on time, even though some of our guests were a bit late. I would definitely hire him again. Great playing, and really knew how to play the perfect music for the crowd.
We decided to hire Alex and his trio for our wedding reception based on some audio and video samples we saw online and we couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome. Alex was incredibly easy to work with before the event with timely email replys to any and all questions. When I finally met Alex at the wedding reception, he was professional and attentive to every need. The trio played musically with a tight cohesive sound over a wide variety of tunes. From a more upbeat cocktail hour to a softer sit-down dinner reception, Alex and his musicians were exactly what we wanted!
Jazz Band
alex and his trio played in our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour at the lighthouse at chelsea piers in new york city in july 2011. they did a fantastic job all around. they were well rehearsed, followed the schedule as given and provided interruption free great jazz music. he is very attentive and easy to work with and always has your interests in mind. very personable and caring, he will provide you the best music for your event. his jazz piano performance was excellent and played to our tastes of the standards. thank you alex and team!
Jazz Band
Alex was a sheer delight to work with and such a talent!! Our party was a very special birthday for my husband. I explained to Alex that we love to dance,we met in the theater and my husband comes from a very musical family.Alex designed an evening to remember. Cool jazz,dancing,and singing. I would absolutely recommend Alex and his fellow musicians.
Alex was perfect! We would highly recommend him.
Jazz Pianist
Alex Levin is a gem of the the jazz community. Punctuality, professionalism and perfectly tasteful playing are what you can expect from this piano player. Alex is a gentleman and a great artist to hire. He is a solid musician composer and arranger who can meet your musical needs what every they will be and his presence alone will make you smile. Alex is who you want.
Jazz Pianist
I have hired Alex Levine after I found them online. The service provided was over my expectations not only during The Event but troughout the entirely process of booking before hand. Thank you for your services
Jazz Band
Alex was an A+++ find! Professional, friendly, easy to book, and very willing to accommodate any request. I would highly recommend that anyone looking for a pianist, should begin & end their search with Alex Levin...
Jazz Pianist
Alex is an exquisite pianist backed by a great rhythm section. As an amateur pianist myself, I listened to a lot of jazz trios and quartets before deciding who we would have play for our wedding reception. Naturally, one wants excellent musicians, but also musicians who play well together, who can adjust the tempo and intensity to suit the moment, and who can bring a little joie de vivre to the occasion.
The Alex Levin Trio delivered all of this and more. From the first tune of the cocktail hour through the last set of after dinner dancing, Alex and his group played fabulous jazz. It was refined but also just a pure pleasure to listen to, with tunes ranging from soulful ballads to hard swinging dance music. We received many compliments about their playing, including from several friends who are musicians. We could not have had more enjoyable music.
Alex was also a great guy to work with. He is pleasant and open to ideas about songs and how best to structure the music for the evening. We chose to add a saxophone for the after dinner sets, so Alex was joined by one of his colleagues who played seamlessly with the rest of the Trio. All of the musicians were consummate professionals, courteous, on time, and a pleasure to talk to. But listening to them play was the greatest pleasure of all. Thanks Alex for a great evening.
Jazz Band, Jazz Pianist, Pianist, Wedding Band
We needed a professional trio for the first part of our son's bar mitzvah and were referred to Alex and his trio. We heard him in two different venues before we hired him and were immediately sold. Fortunately, for this level of professionalism his fees were quite reasonable. He arrived well ahead of schedule and played a little longer than contracted for without being asked when he noticed the caterer was not ready to be set up in a main dining room.
The level of volume was just right and the selection of songs just perfect for this very mixed age group. I was surprised to notice that even some of the children took notice. Many of our guests complimented us on the choice of this trio as well as their musicality and choice of selections. The couple of solos he did were just simply over the top.
I would have no reservations choosing Alex again. I just fear with his level of playing we may not find him available the next time we need him.
Thank you, Alex.
Jazz Band, Jazz Pianist
Alex and his band are consummate professionals. They filled the room with such beautiful music and energy, that it raised the affair to a different level. People couldn't stop talking about how incredible it was to have a jazz band playing for our own personal pleasure, all night long!
Russ
Jazz Band
Alex and his bandmates were totally professional and everyone really enjoyed their music. They also listened to our requests for what kind of music we wanted them to play and volume.
Party Band
I have seen several sets by the Alex Levin trio over the past two summers and can say I have been continually impressed. Alex is warm and humble and an incredibly gifted pianist and composer. The trio's sets included both cover songs and original songs. Alex is easygoing, reliable, amiable, witty, and an absolute delight both on and off stage. You are assured a beautiful and relaxing evening with Alex at the piano!
Alex and his trio are a fantastic modern jazz group with a little rock/lit edge. I thoroughly enjoyed their music and the atmosphere they created.
Alex was so easy-going, supper accomedating, and easy to work with. His Trio was fantastic at our wedding. All our guests really enjoyed the music! I would recommand them without reservation to any bride!
Jazz Band, Jazz Pianist, Jazz Singer
The Alex Levein Trio plays every Friday night at our communtiy center. Before I talk of the music let me talk about his reliability . The band is always on time through rain and snow. Each set is perfect .
His music is an outgrowth of Alex's presonality . Warm and inspiring- The audience leaves rested and alive - Alex's hits the keys like a champ!
Jazz Band
Alex and his band are the most sophisticated Jazz band one can be happy to have at one's event.!! Versatile, jazzy, happy, the best.. I just wished I could listen to Alex and his crew every night -- that would be a real treat .... so spoil your guests
Cornelia
Jazz Band
Booking Info
About
Alex Levin
Originally from Philadelphia, Alex Levin has performed in Philadelphia and New York as a leader and a sideman for the last fifteen years. After studying at The New School with teacher Gary Dial, he transferred and graduated from Brown University in 1998 with a degree in English Literature. From 1998-2001 he lived in Berlin, Germany, where he started his first quartet, The Living Room. The popular band played at numerous clubs and festivals throughout Germany, and gained notoriety for unique interpretations of pop songs by the likes of Bjork and Tom Waits.
Alex has played with multiple vocalists and instrumentalists since returning to New York in 2001. He has appeared at clubs throughout the city, and can most frequently be found leading his own trio at such clubs as Kavehaz, Detour, Rue B and Night and Day. Besides leading his trio, Alex performs regularly with vocalists Ayana del Valle and Heather Moran. He has composed numerous pieces, and has arranged music for top vocalists, including the brilliant Paulette McWilliams.
Alex released his first CD of trio music, Night and Distance, in April of 2005. His first run of his CDs sold out within eight months of its release.
In October, 2006, he released his second CD, A Reason for Being Alone, featuring his own compositions and an expanded lineup of musicians, including saxophonists Stacy Dillard and Max Hacker, and cellist William Martina.
His composition "Your Call" was heard in the 2005 film "Parkstories," and his jazz writing has been published in The Saint Ann’s Review. In the summer of 2006, Alex was invited to play as part of the Jazz Composer's Forum in Asheville, North Carolina, where he presented a special concert of original music.
In addition to his work as a pianist, Alex works at Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn as an English teacher. In 2006, Alex was commissioned by the senior class of Middlebury College’s graduate program to compose three new pieces inspired by Appalachia. In the summer of 2008, The Alex Levin Trio were in residence at Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College in Vermont, where he offered lectures on listening to jazz, the legacy of John Coltrane, and inspiring arts through jazz.
New York Portraits, Alex's most recent CD, soared to the top of the charts on jazz radio stations across the country and in Canada.
Alex is available for bookings at high schools, colleges and universities where he can speak about improvisation, the history of jazz, and creating a satisfying career as an independent musician.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| December 31, 2017 • 9:00pm - 11:00pm | New Year's Party |
| November 14, 2017 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Corporate Event |
| July 15, 2017 • 6:00pm - 9:30pm | Anniversary Party |
| July 12, 2016 • 4:00pm - 6:30pm | Birthday (Child) |
| June 22, 2016 • 5:30pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
| June 30, 2015 | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| October 26, 2013 | Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party |
Team
| Michael Bates | Bass |
| Brian Floody | Drums |
Testimonials
Despite over 15 years as a professional jazz pianist, musician and leader, Levin is only now taking the leap and releasing his first CD of original compositions after testing the waters with his first trio CD, Night and Distance, featuring only two original pieces.
My first time listening to A Reason for Being Alone was on a flight to Los Angeles. As the first few bars of the great horn solo at the beginning of "Blues on Tuesday" started, cramped seating and stale peanuts faded into the background as I was transported to a front row seat in a great jazz bar. Levin's high energy piano soon comes in and establishes new themes for Dillard and Hacker to develop and explore, yet they ultimately come back to their original solo melody. Levin admits that it is "Always a crowd pleaser at our performances," and it does not disappoint as an opener on the CD. The next piece, "A Reason for Being Alone," showcases his writing and playing skills as only a difficult ballad can.
– Paul Saklon
More and more jazz artists are coming out of the woodworks these days, and while there may not be room for all of them in the long run, Alex Levin has a good chance of sticking around. The Philadelphia bred pianist/composer is a rising talent, and here, he has done a wonderfully sublime expanded trio album, with solid compositions and exemplary playing. He displays a passion for the music, beautiful compositions that range from light, romantic and meditative waltzes to hard-bopping barn burners, all played with sophistication, creativity and flair. He adds two saxes for several tunes, broadening his palette, and then infuses cello for a chamber-like insouciance. If all new artists were as good as Levin, we would be overrun with talent. As it is, Alex Levin, if he continues his passion for the music, has a bright future. ****1/2.
– Kyle O'Brien