Max Haymer, 23, was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He began his classical piano studies at the age of seven and was introduced to jazz piano at the age of 14. Haymer was awarded the Bill Green Scholarship from the L.A. Jazz Society in 2002 and was a finalist in the inaugural Horace Silver Piano Competition in 2003. In 2005, he won second prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Jazz Piano Competition in Switzerland. In 2006, Max was deemed a Rising Star by the Orange County Performing Arts Center. He then went on to become a finalist in the UWF Jazz Piano Competition in 2007.
Haymer received his Bachelor of Music degree as a Jazz Performance major at the University of California at Irvine, where he studied piano with Kei Akagi and worked with Darek Oles, Bobby Rodriguez and Charles Owens. Haymer has performed with numerous artists such as Ernie Andrews, Justo Almario, Andrew Heringer, Brian Swartz, Munyungo Jackson, and Barbara Morrison. He has also acted as assistant musical director for the UC Irvine main stage musicals, Kiss Me Kate and Seussical, and was Musical Director for Urinetown the Musical in June 2007. Haymer is now the Musical Director for Musical Theatre of Connecticut, where he has musically directed the shows "John and Jen" and “Lady Day at Emerson Bar and Grill.”
Haymer has had the pleasure to play all over Southern California at many great venues including Catalina Bar and Grill, The Jazz Bakery, and Vibrato. In 2008, Haymer went into the studio with his trio and released his released is debut album, “Pickpocket Witness.” Haymer now lives in New York City, and leads his own trio as well as plays with numerous groups around the city.
Max Haymer, “Pickpocket Witness”
Posted by: editoron Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 08:00 PM
By Edward Blanco
Los Angeles-born pianist Max Haymer may not be familiar to you, after all the young 22 year old musician does not have much of a discography. If the music on Pickpocket Witness is any indication of what we can expect from Haymer in the future, then prepare to brace yourself because you're for a treat. Offering a repertoire of original contemporary jazz presented in a dynamic straight ahead fashion, Haymer performs like a wild man on the keys pounding them into submission on the title tune and demonstrating his piano chops in style.
Performing with a trio that include bassist Nick Schaadt and drummer Cale Giachello, the group play seven exciting new charts starting off with the riveting “No Dice” where the pianist quickly establishes himself leading the music and playing in a crisp lighting speed mode that grabs your attention from beginning to end. Haymer is essentially an assertive player but also displays a lighter side as found on his beautiful ballad “Silver Dawn,” a soft cushy number that Haymer treats with tenderness as drummer Giachello uses the brushes.
Other highlights on this dynamic recording include the sophisticated “Asymmetry,” “Groove Sensei” where bassist Schaadt takes his turn in the spot light with some nice bass line work, “Webs” an intricate piece of music that challenges the listener and finally “Goodnight” one of the lighter jazz numbers that features the pianist for one final time leaving a lasting impression.
I was quite taken by the music of Pickpocket Witness and even more impressed by young Max Haymer, a gifted jazz pianist and star in the making. The album is a clear winner worth repeated spins guaranteed to please critics and audiences alike.
Year: 2008
Label: Mac Swell Music
Hey Max! tearin up tracks from the whites to the blacks while wearin slacks collecting stacks of greenbacks and spendin em on fruit snacks.... see ya soon bro
I'm just stopping by to check out your page and to tell you that I appreciate our MySpace friendship. May you continue to be a blessing to others with your talent.
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