Max Jaffe
Drums
Bushwick
Max Jaffe began his journey with music as a young child, encouraged and influenced by his mother (who taught him how to play piano) and his father (who taught him how to play drums). After gravitating towards the drums full time, Max began performing in his native Bay Area by the time he was an adolescent. Max has since relocated to New York City to be a part of the city's thriving and creative musical community.
He holds a B.F.A. from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where he had the privilege of studying with Amir Ziv, Jane Ira Bloom, Gerry Hemingway, Andrew Cyrille, Billy Hart, and John Hollenbeck. Since graduating, Max has maintained an active performance schedule that has placed him on the stages of many notable venues in NYC and beyond, including Le Poisson Rouge, Jazz Standard, The Stone, Cornelia St. Café, Yoshi's (Oakland), Red Poppy Art House (San Francisco), and more.
Max Jaffe at Amir Ziv's Living Arts Apprenticeship Program 2010
AS A PERFORMER
Max's sense of feel, his creative approach to groove, his technical facility, and his overall zeal for music has made him an asset to many creative ensembles, as well as an extremely versatile sideman. He is currently a member of experimental folk outfit In One Wind, jazz collective The Chives, chamber rock group Killer BOB, and many others. In addition, he has worked with dance companies Také Dance and Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance, as well as contributed to film scores and recordings.
He has experience with many styles of music, including jazz, rock, pop, folk, funk, various Afro-Carribean and Afro-Brazilian musics, free-improvisation, afrobeat, chamber music, and more.
AS A TEACHER
Max has been teaching students of varying skill levels since he was 17 years old. He has developed an unique approach to lessons throughout his years of learning and teaching, and believes that awareness, observation, discipline, and inspiration are the key ingredients to growing as a musician.
Part of this unique approach to teaching is developing an individual rapport and understanding with each student. The student's goals, once established, are held in the highest regard and are subsequently broken down to their simplest components. Underlying most students' musical goals are some fundamental elements to be explored to their depths, simultaneously broadening a student's understanding and awareness. In addition, the occasional dance lesson or jam session (or something else unexpected!) might be integrated to keep things fresh and to give the student a different perspective on something like groove, for example.
Max is respectful and perceptive, as well as humorous and enthusiastic. His demeanor and commitment make him an great match for students of all ages and skill levels.
