MAX WAGNER JAZZ
 
COMMUNICATION, IMMEDIACY, EXPRESSION: Jazz is a language that when well spoken realizes the meaning of these words. HEART, SOUL, THE BLUES: No other art form is more totally dedicated to the expression of the human spirit. TRUTH: Every moment in a Jazz performance is the moment of truth. This is the primary challenge of the music - Max Wagner ©1997 MAX WAGNER - Tenor Saxophone & Jazz Vocals...that cat can scat! Tenor saxophonist and Jazz vocalist Max Wagner has developed an individual sound and approach to Modern Jazz. His extensive performing, recording and touring work have afforded him the rare opportunity to become an accomplished musician in the Jazz tradition. Years of playing nightly, before a wide range of audiences in clubs as diverse as Delores’ Blues Alley in Kansas City, and the Palomino in Hollywood, have served to hone Max’s abilities to communicate and express himself musically. He lives by the premise that in music, and in Jazz in particular, saying something is still the bottom line. In a nightclub setting, Max’s stage presence, connection with his audience, great humor, and soul combine to provide listeners with an entertaining, exciting, and intimate Jazz experience. Max’s abilities on tenor saxophone and as a vocalist, coupled with his grasp of a wide range of Jazz styles, offer audiences a remarkably varied and engaging musical excursion capable of delighting the Jazz aficionado as well as the less traveled listener. In addition, Max’s original compositions: instrumentals like “Calypso del Rio” and vocals such as Max’s “That’s What Jazz Is”, and his original lyrics and vocalese for Jazz Standards like Lionel Hampton’s “Red Top”, and Charlie Parker’s “Billie’s Bounce” are very popular with audiences and offer yet another dimension to this versatile Jazzman’s performances. Max has worked with many of the greats; including Jazz stars: Dakota Staton, Bud Shank, Don Braden, Fred Wesley, René Marie, Nick Brignola, Javon Jackson, Angela Hagenbach, Red Holloway, Hugh Ragin, Pete Christlieb, John Fedchock, Frank Tiberi, Ken Walker, Greg Abate, Ellyn Rucker, Brad Leali, Mark Elf, Nat Yarbrough, Eric Gunnison, Greg Gisbert, Dick Johnson, and Randy Sabien. In the Latin Jazz field, Max has been a side-man for Tito Sampas and Ernesto Padianco. He has also been the choice of Rhythm and Blues legends, Clarence “Gate Mouth” Brown, and Bo Diddley. Max has appeared as a side-man on nearly 50 albums by a wide range of artists. His first solo album, self titled: “MAX WAGNER” was released in May of 2000 to enthusiastic reviews. The CD features Max’s tenor and soprano saxophones, flute and vocals; backed by three world-class rhythm sections. The album includes an eclectic mix of Max’s original music and a variety of Jazz Standards. His latest album, “This Can’t Be Love” was released in 2006, and showcases his top-flight working quartet; including Jeff Jenkins, Ken Walker, and Todd Reid. (See “New CD Page for more information.) Max led the house band at Denver’s venerable and historic Jazz club, El Chapultepec for three years, where he performed with his quartet nightly, Wednesday through Saturday. As leader of the house band at the ‘Pec’, Max performed with many top flight Jazz artists and hosted jam sessions with countless visiting musicians, including: The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and The Harry Connick Big Band, among others. Additionally, Max produces and directs the Estes Park Jazz Festival in Estes Park, Colorado; and maintains a busy schedule of Jazz workshops and Improvisation clinics at the middle school, high school and university levels. New%20CD%20.htmlEP%20Jazz%20Festival.htmlshapeimage_3_link_0shapeimage_3_link_1
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