Piano Man’s daughter (Alexa Ray) tries hand at playing

Piano Man’s daughter tries hand at playing
By Sarah Rodman
Friday, March 24, 2006

Billy Joel’s daughter, Alexa Ray, has decided to enter the family business.

The 20-year-old has put her studies at New York University on hold to embark on a career as a singer-songwriter. Monday, Joel brings her nascent musical offerings and a three-piece band to Great Scott.

Joel - whose name was immortalized in her dad’s ballad ‘‘The Downeaster ‘Alexa’ ” - has yet to release a recording or sign with a label, but reports from recent shows indicate that the apple may not have fallen too far from the tree.

In a review of a December performance at the Cutting Room in Manhattan - attended by both her dad and mom, Christie Brinkley - a reporter likened her style to ‘‘Carole King circa 1970.” In a more extensive write-up last week, the Hartford Courant said, ‘‘Joel is an unquestionably skilled singer, songwriter and piano player” and complimented the range of her 12-song set, saying she went from ‘‘Mariah Carey highs” to ‘‘the bluesy, laid-back Norah Jones thing.”

Joel acknowledges the Jones comparison as well as those to Fiona Apple on her MySpace page (www.myspace.com/alexarayjoel). She describes her sound as ‘‘pop/rock soul.”

According to her profile, Joel has been writing songs and studying piano since childhood. She credits a summer program at Berklee College of Music with helping her shed inhibitions about performance.Alexa Ray Joel plays Monday at Great Scott, Allston. Tickets are $10. Call 617-566-9014.