Max Zape is one of the busiest keyboardists in San Diego with over 30 years [starting at age 12] of gigging under his belt. His musicality comes naturally from his parents who sang to him as a child, as well as their friends who are singers and musicians [including the late trombonist Frank Rosolino, and the late singer Mavis Rivers]. A multi-instrumentalist, keyboards are just one facet of Max's music and he credits his childhood music teachers [Fredericka Pedersen, Agnes Ockert, Gary Withem, Delbert Bangle and Michael Luzak] for encouraging his musical pursuits. But most of all, he credits his late father for instilling the musical dream and telling him that there are only two kinds of music: good and bad.

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, but raised mainly in southern California, Max has played with a wide variety of local groups and artists including Suave, Blue Wind, Jamm, Septembre, Fourtune, Devocean, Cycles, La Familia, Forecast, Makai, Matrix, Reel-To-Real, Hemisphere, Azz-Izz, Native Vibe, Goldfish, Dr. FeelGood & the Interns Of Love, Grapevine, Innovation, Just Press Play, Mezcla, Purple, Psychoactive, Ruby & the Redhots, SaVio, Pacific Brass & Electric, Soul Persuaders, Soul Seduction, Stage 4, Viva Santana, Patrick Yandall, Reggie Smith, Tim Maglione [RIP], Calvin Romance [RIP], Janice Edwards, Jackie Bonaparte, Marti Lynch, Rebecca Conley, David Randall, Hank Easton, Gil Alcantar, Fuzzy Rankin, Will Sumner, Jose Serrano, Jorge Camberos and NRG.

He has also performed with such acts and artists as Michael Paulo, Greg Vail, Steve "Euge Groove" Grove, Hollis Gentry [RIP], Steve Laury, Evan Marks, Carl Evans [RIP], Fattburger, Mark Stacy, Doc Severinsen, Ed Shaughnessy, Dianne Schuur, Lauren Wood, Carol Banawa, Coco Lee, Tisha Campbell, Dawnn Lewis, Kathie Lee Gifford, Connie Stevens, Florence Henderson, Jimmy Cheatham [RIP], Marshall Hawkins, Richie Cole, Pete DeLuke, Sal Marquez, Denny Brunk, Sinbad, Patrick Moraz, Billy Armstrong, Trini & Jesse Lopez, Duke Daniels [The Platters], Cuba Gooding Sr. [The Main Ingredient], Michael Andrew, Joe Morton, Osayande Baruti, Sir Harry Bowens and Jeff Lorber.

Performing with such a dizzying array of artists [as well as a few myspace friends] and styles that encompass everything from acid jazz to rock, country to ranchera, punk to world, show tunes to jingles, Max truly has become a world musician.

An alumnus of USC [& the mighty USC Trojan Marching Band and Jazz Ensembles] where he studied with such musicians as Louis Taylor, Lloyd Hebert, Thom Mason, Shelly Berg, Russell Ferrante, and arranger Tony Fox. Max has also worked for Carnival Cruise Lines, the San Diego Repertory Theater Group and as a product specialist-clinician for Ensoniq, Roland, and Yamaha Musical Instruments. Max is currently working on upcoming releases from Jorge Camberos, Ed Graves, and Reggie Smith in addition to Hemisphere and is a Cakewalk/SONAR endorsee.

About Hemisphere

This site is Max Zape's Hemisphere Space! Destinations was a great album with some cool moments, so if you like what you hear: please buy an album @ TheOrchard.com or iTunes or download them from this site as soon as SnoCap gets their shit together!

Update! SnoCap is clueless, so I'm letting everyone download 5 of the tunes for free here, since I ain't makin' any $$$ off it. Want the whole album? Buy an album! [email for details]

Hemisphere originally began as an outlet for the music of guitarist Robert Shinno. Later, with the addition of saxophonist Don Bowman, bassist Tony Hill, drummer Billy Ray, and percussionist Roy Gonzales, Hemisphere was now a group with the 1997 release "Blue Planet Dreams".

With their current release, "Destinations", Hemisphere welcomes newest members keyboardist Max Zape (Patrick Yandall,Reel-To-Real, Will Sumner), drummer Gary Taylor, and bassist Grant Clarkson. Special guests on "Destinations" include guitarist Peter Sprague (Hemisphere records at SpragueLand Studio - Peter's home), bassists Kevin Hennessy & Nathan Brown (Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Scott Wilkie), trumpeter Rodney Drew, Sr., and guitarist David Harris.

As of November 2007, Hemisphere is in the process of writing the next album scheduled for spring 2008. Stay tuned.

In addition, Mo-Z [Max Zape] is involved with so many side projects including:
San Diego's Finest Dance Band --- Makai
Ruby & The Redhots
Reggie Smith & The Pressed 4 Time Band [I'll be posting exclusive live cuts here!]
Patrick Yandall Group [Laws Of Groovity is hot on the smooth jazz charts!]
The Soul Persuaders
Viva Santana [a Santana tribute band featuring Jose Serrano - Now On Hiatus; congrats to Thomas Connor and his new gig with Blood, Sweat & Tears!]
The Tommy Bolin Tribute album [DONE! CD release party to follow!]
The Jeff Beck Tribute featuring Joe D'Amico [on hold, due to the death of bassist Max Danger]
as well as artists like Keith Jacobson [co-writing new album - Album [Turn On The Charm] is DONE!], Cuba Gooding Sr. [The Main Ingredient], Bradley Leighton, and a compilation of Mo-Z's fav cuts and new tunes from over the years.

So if you hear about any of these other acts, be sure to check them out.

Mo-Z is always available for gigs, collaborations and session work, as well as private instruction and vintage gear for hire.
Please feel free to call for scheduling.