"...you can do it all, man. If you looked up jazz drummer in the encyclopedia, there would be a picture of you. Wherever
I hear you, you sound fantastic. It's like you can do anything...and you look great playing too."
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-John Gilbreath, Director, Earshot Jazz
Max Holmberg is a Seattle based drummer, bandleader and educator. He first started getting to know the drum set at his grandpa's house at age two. Born into a family of actors and musicians, it's no surprise that the first music he remembers listening to is Count Basie. His jazz journey started in the renowned programs at Eckstein Middle School and Roosevelt High School. After achieving a B.M. from Berklee College of Music, he returned to Seattle where he currently resides and can be found performing in person and on the radio with many diverse projects and bands including Boss Tenors, Jomoma, the Alex Dugdale Band, Danny Quintero Band, the Danny Kolke Trio, Jacqueline Tabor Jazz Band, the 200 Trio, and more. Over the years, Max has developed a reputation as one of the most sought-after drum teachers in the PNW (please visit the LESSONS page for more info). Until it shut down after 9 years in October of 2023, Max ran the Sunday night jam session at the Angry Beaver in Greenwood. He was also co-host of the podcast Jazztalk Seattle with Josh Hou and runs the Secret Jazz Club on Airbnb (on hiatus since covid). He can also be found occasionally performing with Broadway shows including the Grammy and Tony-winning Hadestown (North American Tour). Max has also been a featured guest artist at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville(UVM), Gonzaga University, Eastern Washington University, and Whitman College.
Throughout Max's musical journey, he has had the opportunity to perform in 7 different countries and gain personal experience and knowledge from many notable musicians. Some highlights include performances in India with Danae Greenfield and the 200 Trio, touring internationally with the Arsonists featuring Patrick Bartley, Jr, the Jens Lindemann Big Band/Seattle Chamber Music Society Festival, performing at Berklee College of Music with NEA Jazz Master Joanne Brackeen, Eddie Gomez, and Wayne Krantz, a performance at Lincoln Center with the Roosevelt High School Jazz Band and Wynton Marsalis, workshops with Gerald Clayton, Joe Lovano, the late Rashied Ali, and the late James Moody. In addition to these artists, a special thanks goes out to Benny Green, Neal Smith, Katia Roberts, Ernesto Diaz, Tyler Richart, Joanne Brackeen, Stuart MacDonald, Moc Escobedo, Lisa Holmberg, Ed Mays and Scott Brown for going above and beyond in helping mentor Max as a musician, drummer and human spirit.