Max Light is an in-demand guitarist living in Brooklyn, NY. He won 2nd place in the 2019 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Guitar Competition, judged by Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Lionel Loueke, Russell Malone, Lee Ritenour, Chico Pinheiro, and Stanley Jordan. His debut recording as a leader, "Herplusme," was released in 2020 on Red Piano Records. All About Jazz wrote of the album: "The smart writing stays front and center while the players' performance brings their colorful mini-scrapbook to life with warmth and subtlety."
Max has performed and recorded with Noah Preminger, Donny McCaslin, Jason Palmer, Dan Weiss, Dayna Stephens, Kevin Hays, Donald Edwards, Colin Stranahan, John Ellis, Adam Deitch, and Kevin Sun among many others. He is a regular collaborator with Downbeat Rising Star tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger. The two of them have a duo album releasing on Steeplechase in March 2022, entitled “Songs We Love.” He appeared on Preminger’s 2019 album "Genuinity" (Criss Cross) and Preminger’s 2020 album "Contemptment" (Steeplechase) alongside Kim Cass and Dan Weiss. This quartet toured Europe in Fall 2021. He appeared on Jason Palmer’s 2018 recording "Live at Wally’s Jazz Club: Volume 1-2" (Steeplechase), and more recently on Yong Lee’s 2021 album "Touch" alongside Walter Smith III. He most recently appeared on Kevin Sun’s 2021 release "<3 Bird" (Endectomorph), which was named as one of the best albums of 2021 by the Boston Globe.
“The guitar playing of Max Light is simply magnificent.” - Jazzenzo
Max Light - Guitar
Noah Preminger - Saxophone
Kim Cass - Bass
Dan Weiss - Drums
Instagram: @maxlightmaxlight