Max Bessesen is a saxophonist, multi-woodwind instrumentalist and composer living in Brooklyn, NY. He creates music that “pushes boundaries without being abstruse and is stirringly emotive while eschewing melodrama.” (Jazziz Magazine)

His “saxophone virtuosity” (Downbeat Magazine) has helped him perform in bands led by Darcy James Argue, Mimi Jones, and Tyler Mitchell as well as an accomplished community of peers in his own generation. Max has played at venues and festivals across the United States, the Netherlands, and in Jordan as well as notable New York clubs including Dizzy’s, Birdland, Ornithology, Bar Bayeux and The Jazz Gallery.

Max’s 2020 debut album Trouble (Ropeadope) features Cornettist Ron Miles, and the second single “Bakkam” won an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer award. Support for this and other projects has come from Luminarts, The Boulder County Arts Alliance, and The Beebe Fund. As a 2016-17 Beebe Fellow, Max spent a year studying music in India, Ghana and Cuba.

Born in Denver, Colorado Max grew up in a household surrounded by music and attended Denver’s historic East High School. Fellow East alumni include Bill Frisell, and Ron Miles—a local jazz icon who gave Max important advice and encouragement as a teenager.

Max holds a BM from Oberlin Conservatory and an MM from Manhattan School of Music. While in school he won four Downbeat Student Music Awards including the “Outstanding Soloist” and “Jazz Arrangement” awards.

Prior to moving to NYC Max spent four years living in Chicago, where he worked with many fantastic local musicians, recorded five albums with his peers, and appeared at all the major jazz venues and festivals. He has given clinics at colleges in Illinois, as well as elementary, middle and high schools across the US. He teaches private students from his home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.