Biography

Bassist Max Murray began his life of music making at the age of four. The son of a professional musician, music was ever-present in his childhood home of Scituate, MA. After experimenting with brass & woodwind instruments, the double bass found him at age 13. While in high school, he studied with Boston Symphony Orchestra bassist, Lawrence Wolfe.

At seventeen Max auditioned for, and was accepted into the United States Navy Music Program, and upon high school graduation he enlisted in the Navy. After completing Basic Training, he attended the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, VA, and graduated at the top of his class, and ahead of schedule. He then was forced to endure arduous tours of duty with Navy Bands in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and Newport, RI. In 1985 Max won an appointment to the Premier United States Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, MD, where he remained until retiring from the Navy in 2000. During his twenty-plus years of service he performed a broad spectrum of music, including; top-40, rock 'n roll, R&B, plenty of marches, classical literature, show tunes, rap, country, salsa, big band & small group contemporary jazz.

Max is honored to have studied with, or participated in masterclasses with some of the finest bassists on the planet, including Paul Johnson, John Clayton, Rufus Reid, Glen Moore, Buster Williams, and Lynn Seaton.

After hearing Max play at the 1993 ISB Oscar Pettiford Jazz Bass Competition held at Interlochen, legendary bassist Milt "The Judge" Hinton, said,
".... it ain't gonna get much better than that, that's beautiful.....!"
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In addition to the many wonderful regional musicians he collaborates with, Max is honored to have shared the stage with a diverse list of major artists, including Henry Mancini, Don Menza, Mose Allison, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lee Greenwood, Neil Sedaka, Louie Bellson, Gene Bertoncini, Dave Samuels, and Poncho Sanchez. He can be heard on recordings by Suede, Rob Vuono Orchestra, Tom Lagana Group, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, The Fred Hughes Trio, Rob Levit, the Pete BarenBregge/Frank Russo Group , and Afro Bop Alliance. In 2003 he and longtime partner Frank Russo released their first collaboration with pianist Doug Bickel & John D'earth, "In My Mind's Eye."

Max lives with his family near the Chesapeake Bay, and maintains a steady performing and recording schedule in the Mid-Atlantic region.

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When is a bass not a fish?

Double bass. String bass. Stand up bass. Bass Fiddle. Upright bass. Bull fiddle. Bass violin. The wood.
Big Fiddle. "Base". Doghouse. Contrabass. Acoustic Bass. The Big Girl. Bass Viol. Kontrabass. Concert Bass. Contrabaixo. Basso Profundo. The Cellar. Slapstick Bass. Kontrabasu. Bajo Grande.The Basement.

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Last Modified Tue, April 1, 2008