Max Wild began his musical career at the Zimbabwe College of Music taking saxophone lessons from Rick van Heerden. Fifteen years later, with credentials that range from performing with Grammy-nominated jazz tenorist Mark Turner to recording with African giant Oliver Mtukudzi, Wild has become a musician who defies stylistic boundaries and whose music spans continents with a collision of jazz, rock, and African genres.
Wild considers his musical path to be a direct reflection of his multi-cultural upbringing. Born to German parents, Wild grew up in Zimbabwe before being awarded scholarships to attend Guildhall School of music in London and Manhattan School of Music in New York. Since moving to the United States in 2002, Wild has been touring internationally with performances throughout North-America, Europe, and Africa. His latest project is an ambitious cross-Atlantic collaboration involving his band from New York and Zimbabwean rising-star Sam Mtukudzi.
In January 2008, Wild recorded ‘Teerera’ with Sam Mtukudzi and Oliver Mtukudzi. The group returned to the studio to reord their first full-length album in April 2008, which will be released on ObliqSound in early 2009.
Besides appearing with his own projects Wild also performs with The African Blue Notes (a New York-based West African group), East Meets West (a duo with tabla-player Rohin Khemani), and the legendary Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. In Zimbabwe Wild has headlined both the Harare International Festival for the Arts (HIFA) and the Victoria Falls International Jazz Festival, and besides performing with Oliver and Sam Mtukudzi, has performed with award-winning musicians Victor Kunonga, Maletha, and Philbert Marowa.
"At last a follow up to Janette Mason's sparkling debut as leader. Alien Left Hand ....was well worth the wait…” Production **** Performance**** -- BBC Music Magazine
“…an album fizzing with fresh ideas and delights, an exhilarating musical journey .. with brilliantly original writing and inspired playing…” -- Helen Mayhew
"Every track from the rhythmic ‘NY Cab Ride’ and restless ‘4 Wheel Drive’ to the brooding ‘Mae’s Song’ has a terrific hook but it’s the way Mason switches tempo and moods that makes ALH great fun. " -- Diva Magazine
One of the most popular spaces for free expression in Zimbabwe's tightly censored society is the Harare Book Café. The Book Café attracts an eclectic crowd; artists, students, writers, businesspeople, street kids, farmers and workers from all races and classes frequent it six nights a week. Short documentary by Eugene Ulman shown on the “People & Power” program on Aljazeera. Features Chiwoniso Maraire, Metaphysics, Mashasha & Too Open, Hamlet Zhou, Comrade Fatso and other great Zimbabwean artists.
Hi Max Wild! Thanks so much for your friendship & support! I just wanted to let you know that my new e.p. “Paper Box” is available now on itunes. Drop me a line and let me know how you’re doing! Visit http://www.tunecore.com/music/gayleskidmore for a link to my itunes site. Cheers! Gayle Skidmore
Hi Max! Thanks for adding me; it's Astrid by the way, but I think you guessed as my page is mostly in French -
Take care, and hope to see you in Paris sometime!
