Sax marvel, 14, a rising star of jazz Laura Dobbins
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 4, 2002 12:00 AM SCOTTSDALE - Alex Han knows how to "jazz" things up. The 14-year-old prodigy from Scottsdale is already a well-known name among jazz circles. His resume is longer than most of the "old-timers" still in the business. When Han was 7 years old, his parents gave him a recorder. A year later, he picked up the saxophone. "I haven't seen a young person that talented ever. His natural (ability) to play music by ear is frightening," said Han's personal instructor, Bryon Ruth of Scottsdale. A few years ago, Han spent too much time playing video games and watching TV, his parents said. They wanted him to focus on other things. His father, John, had dabbled in music when he was younger, so he said he thought it would be good for Alex. By August 1999, Han was on his way to a professional career in jazz. Performances were aplenty since the Hans were living in New York at the time. It was through some contacts Han hooked up with Jack Kreisberg, a musician in the business for 35 years. Kreisberg was working with Grammy Award winning musician-composer Paquito D'Rivera. Once D'Rivera heard of Han and heard him play, the rest, as they say, was history. Since then, Han has gone on to perform with some of the best in the business. He has sat in with the legendary vibraphonist, Ray Alexander and his quartet at Trumpets jazz club in Montclair, N.J. He performed with D'Rivera at a Lincoln Center jazz concert. And in 2000, he performed for former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Han has recorded his own CD, Alex Han Fourteen, and is pitching it online at cdbaby .com. The teen has come a long way in his short career. Believe it or not, "He still practices two hours a day and he takes lessons," John Han said. Even at this level there are things to learn, Alex said. Understanding the history of jazz, learning to appreciate how the professionals play and studying music theory are part of his music curriculum. "He has really matured as a musician," his father said. His music instructor agreed. "He's more thoughtful with the notes. He has learned to save the knockout - the jazz punch - for last. He is always picking up something new," Ruth said. Han's father has big plans for the young professional: "I hope Alex will be the Tiger Woods of jazz. I'd like to see him do for jazz what Tiger has done for golf." Reach reporter at laura.dobbins@scottsdale republic.com or (602)-444-6849. |  | | | more news |