You received a grant to study under the great santoor master Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. How was that learning experience? What did you learn?
To study with Pandit Shivkumar Sharma was a life changing experience. To study with someone so musically, creatively, and technically proficient is one thing, but to be able to listen to his words, to see his actions, to hear his advice is another… He is one of the most enlightened people that I have met in my life.
If you were to describe yourself, how what would that be?
Oh this is a hard one… I consider myself focused, determined, open-minded, introspective, kind and honest. I am genuinely trying to make myself a better person, and trying to find opportunities to self-improve. This is a hard question though, for I feel that who we are, is rarely static.
What have been milestones in your life? What could be your next milestone?
One of my first milestones was discovering the hammered dulcimer. Finding it at such an early age was a major turning point in the way my life has unfolded. Additionally, travelling and finding music from different parts of the world and different cultures has set me on a path of discovery and introspection, which eventually led me to composing my own material. Another major milestone in my life has been the process of building my own instrument. For the past eight years, I have been working on and building an innovative and new design for the hammered dulcimer. This will hopefully lead to my next milestone; a fully amplified hammered dulcimer.
Taking his roots from classical Irish folk music, Max has transplanted his compositional techniques to both Senegal, where he studied the Mandinko technique with the Cissoko griot family, and to Mumbai, India, where he received a grant to study under the great santoor master Pandit Shivkumar Sharma.
Who has influenced you most in your life? Why?
I have had a variety of influences in my life. First and foremost would have to be my family. I was raised in Chicago and at a very early age was exposed to a wide range of styles of music. Chicago has a strong tradition of American folk music, Avant-Garde Jazz, Electric Blues, and Irish music.
These were some of my earliest musical and cultural influences. After hearing Senegalese music in college however, I was immediately taken by it, and shortly thereafter traveled to Dakar, Senegal. This was one of my largest musical and philosophical influences. Living in New York has also had a profound impact on my music and my life, as the community is strong and fascinatingly vibrant. Lastly, living in Mumbai, and studying with my guruji has had a lasting impact on how I live my life and play my music.
Are you ambitious? If yes, have you chalked out your life? Does planning help?
I would consider myself ambitious. I have not had a chalked out plan for my life though. Living in the moment, day-to-day, has generally been how I live my life. Having long-term goals can likely be of some use, but if one focuses too much on one’s personal road map and the plan of what one “ought” to do, then one can often miss new and exciting opportunities. One should never feel too locked in to their plan; one should be receptive to surprises.
How have you tackled setbacks in life? What keeps you going? Have you ever wanted to give it all up?
I – like everyone – have been dealt numerous setbacks throughout my life, but I feel deeply blessed to have music as a constant medicine. There have been times though when even music has not been able to heal. In these times I usually rely on my friends and family to help me through.
