Rappaport To The Rescue

Alexa Ray Joel is a singer/songwriter/multi-dimensional performer and is the daughter of legendary musician Billy Joel and supermodel/actress Christie Brinkley.  Joel, immortalized in her father’s hit song, “The Downeaster Alexa,”

She is known for her melodic song writing and has noted that her musical upbringing with her father gave her a "unique inside-peek into the songwriting process," and "It's no wonder I write music in the same way (my father) does: melody first, and lyrics second." Joel, immortalized in her father’s hit song, “The Downeaster Alexa”, said that by age 15 she was finishing complete songs and complementing those songs with piano accompaniment and writing poetry.  Alexa performs often with her father at his monthly residency at Madison Square Garden.

Most recently,  on “Seven Years,” Alexa Ray Joel’s  just release new pop single, she celebrates the many highs and occasional lows that come from her long-term relationship, inspired by her fiancé. The lush piano ballad is filled with sweet slices of life drawn from the couple’s true story. “The rich, detailed lyrics play out over the building melody that sounds straight out of a Broadway musical”  says Billboard.  Joel created a "charmingly" classic vintage-style music video set in her hometown of New York City with clips of 1940s black and white romantic film footage. said she wants fans to feel the "enchanted aura" that she created as the video depicts the city skyline inside a glittery snow globe.

Currently, Alexa can be seen alongside her mother, Christie Brinkley and sister, Sailor Brinkley-Cook   The woman star in the new NYDJ Jeans campaign that shines a spotlight on the “powerful bonds” between woman.

During the pandemic lockdown, Alexa concentrated her efforts to charity events and performed a rendition of her father’s song, ‘Summer Highland Falls” on “Give This Way," The Felix Organization’s virtual variety show that benefits children in foster care. Founded by Darryl McDaniels of Run-D.M.C. Alexa appeared along with Mark Wahlberg, John David Washington and Broadway stars from such shows as The Tina Turner Musical, Jersey Boys, Hamilton, Billy Elliot, and Tommy.

Joel also performed for the 27th annual "Rockers on Broadway: Band Together” the concert event is a celebration of the Broadway community paying homage to the performing arts. This year, they honored Emmy, Grammy and Tony award-winning entertainer Billy Porter.  This is Alexa’s second year to perform for the charity. Plus, Alexa sang Beautiful Sights, a song that she wrote when she was nineteen at the Kaufman Music Center’s Day of Musical Giving.  The Kaufman Music Center’s mission to stimulate the appreciation of and participation in musical performance and education.

Before the pandemic, Alexa performed at The Big Apple Circus as her mother, Christie Brinkley, served as ringmaster in January 2020.

Alexa has been performing at the famed Café Carlyle since 2014 with an eclectic repertoire, and her a new song, “Seven Years,” inspired by her engagement—as well as other new material—for her cabaret shows. Alexa performs a mix of original songs, Broadway numbers and—always—a tune from her dad and one from Ray Charles. “People don’t know this, but my middle name is after my dad’s favorite singer, Ray Charles, so I always pay homage,” she explains. The New York Times called Joel “a singer following her own heart,” adding, “Her original work… is firmly grounded in a pop tradition in which streams converge, from gospel to Tin Pan Alley. The songs are bluntly melodic, lyrically direct and catchy. Joel, who appears in the in the 2018 documentary “Always at the Carlyle”, “…. exudes characteristic warmth, humor, and musicality.” 

Alexa performed for the Woman’s Day 16th annual Red Dress Awards, who recognizes advocates and organizations helping American women take charge of their heart health. Which took place at The Appel Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, home of Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York

 IN 2016, Alexa did something she had never envisioned herself doing: She appeared in Sports Illustrated’s “swimsuit” issue. It was a family project; she posed with her mother and sister Sailor. “It was liberating, almost like me coming out saying, “This is me, I celebrate myself and my body just for who I am, like every other woman should,” Joel said.

Alexa Ray was featured on the COVER of BELLA Magazine this summer.  Joel, who exudes characteristic warmth, humor and musicality in the new documentary “Always at The Carlyle,” returned to that legendary cabaret for her seventh run later this year. She’ll sing a mix of original songs, Broadway numbers and — always — a tune from her dad and one from Ray Charles. “People don’t know this, but my middle name is after my dad singer, Ray Charles, so I always pay homage.”  Alexa also graced the COVER of PARADE Magazine with her mother, Christie and sister, Sailor to celebrate Mother’s Day and appeared in the New York Post fashion supplement, Alexa, for their Hamptons issue.
Alexa is an outspoken supporter of woman and has spoken frequently about on-line bullying and body image.  “I have so many remarkable young women who follow my social media. These women often write to me with stories of their own personal struggles with regards to their body image, or just general battles with finding self-esteem and self-love. I can relate to this on a deeply intimate and personal level, as I was bullied quite a bit by the media when I was younger. You could say I was an exceedingly late bloomer; I didn’t really grow into myself—or feel remotely good about myself—until my late 20s.

Still, this issue is so much bigger than just me, and I think it’s important to look at how we’re treating ALL of our girls in today’s society and see what we can do to build up both ourselves and others, instead of degrading, judging and comparing. Because I want every single woman out there who feels like she doesn’t fit in, or doesn’t fit the mold, or doesn’t see herself as special, or beautiful, or of value, to know that she is more than worthy. And she is more than enough. Just by being herself."

In September 2013 Joel became part of The Gap's "Back to Blue" television ad campaign, performing her interpretation of Billy Joel's 1977 song, Just The Way You Are.   Joel's "Notice Me" single, released in 2010, was listed as a "Hit-Bound song" on the Sirius XM Hits 1 Satellite Radio Channel.  Newsday described the single as having a "carefree braininess" and "bouncy guitar riffs and an instantly hummable chorus" that made Joel's work "sound like Regina Spektor crossed with Katy Perry."  Joel had a residency playing in the Oak Room of New York's Plaza Hotel in late 2010 and early 2011, said to add a "contemporary vibe" to the "storied venue."

Alexa Ray Joel has been a fashion correspondent for the lifestyle site, Julib.com during Spring and Fall Fashion Week.  Alexa has attended NY Fashion Week and interviewed celebrities and fashion designers including:  Charlotte Ronson, Max Azria, Badgley Mishka, Heidi Klum, Cyndi Lauper and more.  Alexa is also an actress and has voiced roles on ABC's Family Guy and to actively auditions on Broadway.  She honed her Beauty and Fashion expert skills on Access Hollywood "How to achieve the Bombshell Look." Alexa appeared in makeup guru, Bobbi Brown's Book "Pretty Powerful."  She has also contributed to the teen publication, J-14 "Life's Big Questions” helping teenage girls solve problems associated with growing up.

Joel has performed at many charity events including onstage with her father during the 2008 Rainforest Foundation Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall.

Smile Train empowers local medical professionals with training, resources and education so that they can provide free cleft surgery and comprehensive cleft care to children in their own communities. Alexa performed at Smile Train’s 20th Anniversary Gala. The star-studded event included a special performance by Alexa Ray Joel, followed by an after party with REV RUN + DJ RUCKUS.
“Smile Train-supported cleft programs have grown significantly over the last 20 years. And with the support from our local medical partners, corporate partners, donors, patients and their families, ambassadors, and local community members, we have been able to reach such a huge milestone,” said Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO, Smile Train.
IN 2019, Alexa performed at Northwell Health’s first Summer Hamptons Evening (SHE) benefitting Northwell’s Katz Institute for Women’s Health.

In 2014, Alexa performed at The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation's annual “A Magical Evening” Gala

 

Other charity events at which Joel has performed include the "Save Sag Harbor" benefit concert; the "Stage For The Cure" benefit for pediatric cancer (New York City, 2008), a benefit for The Art of Elysium (artists for seriously ill children; a benefit for Habitat For Humanity; The "Right To Play Day" benefit; and the Eric Trump Foundation benefit for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  She has also supported animal rights, including the Animal Haven's Speakeasy Bash. 

Joel and her father performed his song "Baby Grand" at a Barack Obama election fundraiser at  the Hammerstein Ballroom on October 16, 2008.  Joel self-released and independently distributed the six-song, EP Sketches in August 2006. Joel designed and illustrated the CD cover, packaging and inserts that included her handwritten lyrics.

Follow Alexa Ray Joel on Instagram @alexarayjoel