Guitarist and composer Max Walker brings a fiery tenacity to the bandstand that is uniquely his own, but clearly builds from a deep well of musical influences. Originally honing his skills as a guitarist and bandleader in Seattle, Walker has gone on to further his musical pursuits in Los Angeles and is rapidly making a name for himself within the LA music scene.
During his time in Seattle, Walker studied both composition and performance with numerous prolific musicians including composer and big band leader Jim Knapp and pianist Jovino Santos-Neto. During this time, Walker quickly became known as a unique and virtuosic voice on the guitar, and would go on to perform with many of the professors that he had formerly studied with including the Jim Knapp Orchestra and with Cornish College of the Arts professor Tim Carey.
In addition to his work as a performer, Walker is a diligent composer and began leading a band to perform his original works early on. By the end of his time in Seattle, Walker’s group had performed throughout the city and had released their first record, Stygia. The album is a unique and genre bending window into Walker’s musical identity. It pulls from his influences in Jazz and also his earlier influences in alternative rock and metal. Meticulously crafted arrangements stand in sharp contrast to raw untamed improvisational moments, a feature of Walker’s music that can be attributed to his time in the Seattle avante garde scene.
Since moving to LA, Walker has continued to sharpen his skills as a performer and composer, studying with educators like guitarist Bruce Foreman and composer Vince Mendoza. After receiving a Masters in Music at the University of Southern California, Walker has gone on to gain recognition as a guitarist in the LA scene and has played with musicians like Jon Hatamiya, Logan Kane, and Paul Cornish.
Walker’s sophomore album Chronostasis stands as a reflection on his move to Los Angeles from his home in Seattle. The album contemplates the role of time both in life and music.
Walker’s primary influences in jazz and rock are on full display all across his sophomore album Chronostasis. In particular, listeners will note the impact of guitar pioneers such as Allan Holdsworth, Tim Miller, and Ben Monder. Walker’s compositional skill is also showcased throughout the album. Like in Stygia, moments of spontaneity transition seamlessly into carefully crafted musical passages.
Chronostasis also features the talents of drummer Remy Morritt, bassist Tim Carey, saxophonist and flutist Rex Gregory, and pianist Matt Williams. The album is teeming with electrifying and virtuosic moments from both individual soloists and the ensemble as a whole.
Chronostasis serves as both an introduction to Walker’s life in Los Angeles and a goodbye to his life in Seattle. Most of all, this album is about the transient moments between two major chapters in one's life, where time almost seems to stand still. The final result is an entirely unique project that engages its audience from beginning to end.