"The music business as I know it has changed in many ways in the last few years & not for the better."

Max Bennett: Bass Rhapsody

Fans and followers of contemporary jazz need no introduction to Max Bennett.  An internationally known bassist and composer, the scope of his experience spans from concert touring, recording and producing to composing music for feature films and television.

Max has toured and performed in concert with Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand, Peggy Lee, and Aretha Franklin, a list that literally runs from Frank Sinatra to Frank Zappa and includes jazz greats Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Stan Getz and Dizzy Gillespie. The list of outstanding artists with whom Max has recorded includes Quincy Jones, The Beach Boys, Elvis, Joni Mitchell, Marvin Gaye, Frank Zappa, Motown Artists, Celine Dion, Nelson Riddle, Henry Mancini, Ray Charles, Michael Franks, Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector, Michel LeGrand, Lalo Schifrin, The Crusaders and countless others.

"Play whenever you get the opportunity, learn from your contemporaries, practice every day & learn to read music!!"

His many years of working in the studios resulted playing on 17 Grammy winning albums and have given him the opportunity to exercise his affinity for jazz, blues, rock and Latin music and to combine those elements into his music. He created a new concept of jazz in the world-renowned L.A. Express which included Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and John Guerin, under the leadership of Tom Scott.  Max then formed his own group "Freeway" and currently heads his most recent band "Private Reserve". The band represents the best of contemporary concepts and Max's compositions blend the richness of jazz, blues, rock and latin music. 

Interview by Michael Limnios

Mr. Bennett, when was your first desire to become involved in the music & what do you learn about yourself from music?
From the age of 6 , I was very interested in music & although I knew nothing about it at the time, I was obsessed with it.

How has music changed your life?
Music changed my life completely. As I became more obsessed with it & more involved in it, it became my main focus in life.

"I like the blues, I play the blues & it has never made me sad!!!"

Which was the best moment of your career and which was the worst?

In High school, I played trombone. However, not well & the music director suggested that I give up music which, of course, was a devastating thought to me at the time. I did NOT take his advice!

What characterize the sound of Max Bennett? How do you describe your philosophy about the music?
I don't know if I have a specific philosophy about music other than "play what you believe in at every opportunity". This is not always easy to do if you are trying to make a living as a musician. However, I have been extremely fortunate in that respect. Far more fortunate than most!!

What does the BLUES mean to you & what does JAZZ offered you?
I started playing the blues early in my career. It was simple & a great "original" American contribution to music in the world & specifically to jazz, also uniquely American.

Do you remember anything funny or interesting from the recording hours?
There were many humorous events in the studios, usually between the players & the artists re: Singers, etc...Actually, too numerous to mention!!

With such an illustrious career, what has given you the most satisfaction musically?
It's difficult to say what has given me the most satisfaction. Each day brings something new so I can't say that there is "one thing" that has been "the greatest".

What are some of the most memorable gigs & jams you've had?
Some of the most memorable gigs I played were those with the group I started with Tom Scott, "L.A. Express". The jazz gigs & the concerts & recordings with Joni Mitchell stand out for all time!! Also, the tours with Ella Fitzgerald & Jazz at the Philharmonic European tours.

What is the “think” you miss most from ‘50s - ‘60 - ‘70s?
I probably miss the Joni tours the most, however, my current group "Private Reserve" is active at the present time & has terrific players.  I try to look forward, not backward.

Difficult question, but who of the people you have worked with do you considers the good friend?
Those that I have worked with in the music business that I would consider are my friends are mostly strictly musicians with a few exceptions like Joni Mitchell, Peggy Lee , Billy Eckstine, composers: Charlie Fox, Billy May. There are also many acquaintances in the music industry who would qualify.

From whom have you have learned the most secrets about blues and jazz music?
To me, the learning process is not so much a "secret", but just playing with great players at every opportunity, sharing the experience & learning from them. That way you progress & hone your skills while you are having a great time playing!

Some music styles can be fads but the blues & jazz are always with us.  Why do think that is?
I think the reason that blues & jazz are always with us is because they both have an intrinsic value to them that other genres of music don't have. There is a certain kind of staying power. This is due to the creative aspect that is the essence of that kind of music. However, don't include "smooth jazz" to that concept. It does NOT qualify as real jazz !!!!! A better name would be: Cool Whip!!  So called "smooth Jazz" starts nowhere & goes nowhere!!

Are there any memories of all GREAT ARTISTS you meet which you’d like to share with us?
There are a multitude of musicians, composers & others involved in music that I have shared time with. There are far too many to list here. Too many great ones!!!!

How has the music business changed over the years since you first started in music?
The music business as I know it has changed in many ways in the last few years & not for the better. Since the advent of musical electronics, they have taken over many of the duties performed by real musicians. Also, more work has been done overseas to save money, not necessarily with good results. In many, instances, quality has suffered. As far as the general state of music in the US,  and elsewhere, commercialism has taken over & even rock music has become a musical farce with a plethora of musicians who are inept, don't know their instruments and subscribe to this nauseating display of bad music coupled with ridiculous antics on stage. A perfect example of this bastardization of pop music is the group "Coldplay". Pretentious crap!!!

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians thinking of pursuing a career in the craft?
Play whenever you get the opportunity, learn from your contemporaries, practice every day & learn to read music!!

"Music changed my life completely. As I became more obsessed with it & more involved in it, it became my main focus in life."

Tell me about the beginning of the “Freeway" and "Private Reserve", how did you get that idea?

As to the beginning of "Freeway & the current name of my group "Private Reserve, it is just an extension of the musical group:L A Express", the group I started in the "70's". It was my concept, However, Tom Scott & I pretty much split the writing for the L A Express group. When I moved to San Clemente from L A, I started the group "Freeway". This eventually became "Private Reserve with some  change of personnel. At the present time, I am playing regularly with my group "Private Reserve" compositions are composed by me.

I've heard two sayings about the blues, which are a little bit confusing. One is "Blues is a healer". Another one "You have to feel blue to play Blues". If it’s supposed to be a healer, why should it make one feel sad?
I like the blues, I play the blues & it has never made me sad!!!!!!  The origin of that concept stems from the slavery days in the US when black workers in the field sang about their horrible lives under the cruel & oppressive slave owners. It was their only way of expressing & deflecting the pain they suffered.

If you go back to the past what things you would do better and what things you would a void to do again?
You ask me why I seem to have a following. I'm not completely sure. I think others better than me have been forgotten. Maybe it's because I've been around a long time, I have been extremely lucky in my career to have been in the right place at the right time & was able to prove myself worthy of consideration. There have many great musicians in my life, too numerous to mention, that have helped me, educated me along the way & put up with me as I learned my trade. I have always tried to improve my playing at every opportunity.
I've done my share of sweating along the way. Fortunately, for me, it has played off and made me a better musician

Make an account for current realities of the case of the Max Bennett’s career
As far as memories of great artists I have shared my musical life with, it is best that I refer you to my web site, www.maxbennett.com  My great and kind friend, Rick Alonso, graphic artist & musician has worked diligently for many months to create my site and tell my story. A multitude of the events, musical, etc. are correctly shown & explained on the site.

Max Bennett's Official website