September 10, 2018
Doors At 7. Music At 7:30pm
Prolific bassist and composer Max Johnson marks his Option debut with a solo set followed by an improvised trio with Dave Rempis on saxophones and Sam Pluta on electronics.
Harvesting the wild energy and joy of free jazz and bluegrass, bassist and composer MAX JOHNSON approaches his music with love and authenticity. “Johnson is an intrepid composer, architect of sound and beast of the bass...” (Brad Cohan, New York City Jazz Record). Creating complex worlds of sound, Johnson challenges his listeners to engage deeply and be rewarded with a complete musical experience that is always jubilantly crafted with care and clarity.
“New York bassist Max Johnson has established himself as one of the more versatile figures in jazz and improvised music, a leader with a strong, woody tone who shows himself capable whether playing tunes with a swinging drive or exploring abstract terrain with a texture-oriented approach.” (Peter Margasak, The Chicago Reader). As a improvising bassist, Max Johnson has worked with legendary figures of the music such as John Zorn, Anthony Braxton, Muhal Richard Abrams, Mary Halvorson, Nels Cline, among others. With a non-stop touring schedule at top festivals and performing arts centers such as Lincoln Center, the United Nations, Lollapalooza, Bern Jazz Festival, Quebec City Festival, Max also has a prolific recording history, having released nine albums under his own name, and has played on over thirty records.
“The deep, rattling sound that Max Johnson elicits from an upright bass is more than a calling card...” - Nate Chinen, The New York Times
