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Max Haymer

Max Haymer was born and raised in Los Angeles. He began his classical piano studies at the age of seven and was introduced to jazz piano at the age of 14.

He studied with the great LA based pianist Tamir Hendelman through high school and went on to continue his music education at UC Irvine, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors and a Bachelor of Music degree in 2007. At Irvine, Haymer studied Jazz Performance with Kei Akagi, Darek Oles, Bobby Rodriguez, and the late Sherman Ferguson. During that time, he also studied Musical Theater Direction with Dr. Gary Busby.

Haymer has won 2nd prizes at the Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition and the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville Florida, and was a finalist in the Horace Silver Piano Competition and UWF Phillips Jazz Piano Competition and UWF Phillips Jazz Piano Competition. He was also named a Rising Star by the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

In 2006, Haymer debuted with his trio at the world famous Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood. Since then he has returned there regularly, as well as other numerous Southern California venues including the bluewhale, Vitello's, Jazz Bakery, and Vibrato.

In 2008, Haymer released his debut album, Pickpocket Witness. The album is comprised entirely of Haymer's original compositions.

Haymer has had the pleasure of performing and recording with many amazing artists, including Arturo Sandoval, Jane Monheit, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Mike Stern, Denise Donatelli. Greg Hutchinson, Bill Holman, Crystal Bowersox, Mike Clark, Bob Francheschini, Cindy Blackman, Joel Frahm, John Ellis, Andy Galore, Ernie Andrews, Justo Almario, Andrew Heringer, Brian Swartz, Munyungo Jackson, Bobby Rodriguez, Mike Cottone, Katisse Buckingham, Hamilton Price, Dan Schnelle, Chris Norton, and Barbara Morrison.

Haymer resided in New York City from, 2008-2012, where he has headlined at many NYC venues including Smalls, 55 Bar, Zinc Bar, Puppets, and the Metropolitan Room and also served as Musical Director for the Music Theatre of Connecticut.

Haymer returned to LA in the summer of 2012, picking up where he left off, playing around at numerous venues such as Disney Hall, Blue Whale, Upstairs at Vitello's, Vibrato, The Lighthouse, and Baked Potato. Haymer has also turned focus to composition and production as well. Haymer worked as Score Coordinator for the new documentary "CUBAmerican." During this process, he was mentored by composer Carlos Alvarez.

Haymer went into the studio in the summer of 2016, to record Hi-Def video with his trio. Some of these videos can be seen on this site!

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1
Radio & Podcasts

Arturo Sandoval & Max Haymer

Read "Arturo Sandoval & Max Haymer" reviewed by Joe Dimino


From a new live album recorded in Los Angeles, we start the 708th Episode of Neon Jazz with Max Haymer. We also delve into new material from musicians making 2021 vibrant from the likes of David Detweiler, Dave Shelton, Hailey Brinnel and Tobias Meinhart. In between, we listen to tracks from a variety of mentors to these players like Arturo Sandoval and Clark Terry. Enjoy the jazz, my friends. Playlist Max Haymer “Proof of Evil “ Whirlwind -Live ...

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Album Review

Max Haymer: Whirlwind: Live at Sam First

Read "Whirlwind: Live at Sam First" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Los Angeles pianist and composer Max Haymer has been a busy man this past decade, touring as a longtime member of Arturo Sandoval's band, leading his own group and performing as an accompanist to singer Jane Monheit. Accordingly, Whirlwind: Live at Sam First is Haymer's first album since Pickpocket Witness (CD Baby, 2008) twelve years ago. Recorded live in June, 2019 at the Sam First club near the LA airport, the music is swinging, powerful and highly energetic.

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By Edward Blanco - ejazznews

"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.

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Whirlwind: Live at...

Emerald City Records
2020

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Pickpocket Witness

Unknown label
2008

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Videos

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