Alex Otey Biography

A pianist-singer-songwriter, trumpeter, composer, a participant once on a GRAMMY® Winning and on two GRAMMY® Nominated projects as a contributing artist, arranger, producer, Otey routinely performs at numerous venues in central New Jersey. His scope of performances also extends regularly to the Philadelphia area with countless private parties along the Main Line to Princeton, as well as at public forums such as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, World Café Live and Harrah’s Casino to his credit.

Otey was the radio co-host & producer of The Richie Cole Alto Madness Jazz Show, and is host of The Trenton Jazz Show aired though WWFM JazzOn2 89.1 HD2. 

Otey began his musical career with classical training of trumpet and percussion, starting lessons at age 7 and adding piano and singing to his skill set as a teenager.  Influenced by music of the 70's and performers such as Billy Joel and Elton John, Otey began performing "piano man" style entertaining while in high school.  Other influences such as Harry Connick Jr. and the swing era have shaped Otey's style to range from Sinatra ballads and jazz standards though Beatles, Van Morrison and Sting hits.

Otey's father, concert pianist and Curtis scholarship recipient Orlando Otey, was Executive Director of the Wilmington Music School during the youngster's upbringing providing him an early formal musical education.  Appearing with the Wilmington Symphony as an early teenager along with competing in music competitions including Tri-County, Otey continued to study trumpet with Seymor Rosenfeld of the Philadelphia Orchestra until the age of 18.