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Biography

Bassist Max Murray began making music at the age of four. The son of a professional musician, music was ever-present in his childhood home near Boston, MA. First drawn to brass & woodwind instruments, the double bass found him at age 13. While in high school, he first studied with Domenic Pantaleo, and then with Boston Symphony Orchestra bassist, Lawrence Wolfe.

At seventeen Max was accepted into the United States Navy Music Program,�and joined the Navy after high school graduation. Following boot camp, he attended the Armed Forces School of Music and graduated at the top of his class. 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 US Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, MD, where he remained until 2000. During his 20+ years of service he performed a broad spectrum of music, including; top-40, rock 'n roll, R&B, tons of marches, classical literature, show tunes, rap, go-go, country, salsa, big band & small group jazz.

Max is grateful for to have studied with, or participated in master classes with some of his musical heros, including Larry Wolfe, Paul Johnson, John Clayton, Rufus Reid, Glen Moore, Buster Williams, and Lynn Seaton. After hearing Max play, legendary bassist Milt "The Judge" Hinton, said, ".... it ain't gonna get much better than that, that's beautiful.....!"

In addition to the brilliant, inspiring & diverse musicians he collaborates with in the Baltimore/DC area, Max is honored to have shared the stage with nationally known artists, including Henry Mancini, Don Menza, Mose Allison, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lee Greenwood, Neil Sedaka, Louie Bellson, Javon Jackson, Antonio Hart, Gene Bertoncini, Chuchito Valdes, The Four Aces, John D'earth, Dave Samuels, Poncho Sanchez, Rogerio Boccato, Richie Cole, and Donny McCaslin.

A studio veteran, he has recorded extensively for jingles, commercials, television and film score. He also can be heard on recordings by The MARS 4-Tet, Blackman-Murray- Russo, Afro Bop Alliance, Suede, Rob Vuono Orchestra, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, Fred Hughes, Pete BarenBregge, The Vince Norman/Joe McCarthy Big Band, and Chuchito Valdes to name just a few..

As a member of Afro Bop Alliance�he received a Latin Grammy Award in the "Best Latin Jazz Recording" category, and Grammy nomination for the 2008 release, "Caribbean Jazz Project - Afro Bop Alliance."

With Alan Blackman's "Coastal Suite" project, Max appeared on NPR's "Jazz Set with Dee Dee Bridgewater," and performed at the 2014 Chamber Music America Conference.

An in demand musical theatre performer, Max can often be found in the pit orchestra of DC area theatres, anchoring productions on both electric and acoustic bass.

By day, Max often teaches Jazz outreach programs in Washington DC poublic schools with Washington Performing Arts Society.   

Max lives with his family near the Chesapeake Bay, where he maintains a steady performing and recording schedule.

 

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