EPK

EPK – Max Holm

Max’s music can be heard on global network TV, films, ads, videos, games, metaverses, corporate projects, etc. Over 78 million streams to-date (August 2025) on tens of thousands of channels globally.

Stomping Grounds – Latest Jazz Release July 10, 2025

Old high school and college friends, and successful musicians – Grammy winner (saxophone) Markus Howell (tours with Michael Bublé, currently on Broadway with Josh Groban, Count Basie Orchestra, Jazz and Lincoln Center), Producer/Composer/Jazz Pianist Max Holm with tens of thousands of sync placements and hundreds of performances in the US & EU, renowned NYC-based bassist Russell Hall (Wynton Marsalis, Emmett Cohen trio and others), and Isaiah Weatherspoon renowned Philly-based drummer (Greg Phillinganes, Sister Sledge) – play their bums off, in this foot-stomping jazz celebration of happiness and joy!

Pulse Hutch review:

“Stomping Grounds” is more than a jazz single. It is a joyful reunion set to music. Pianist and composer Max Holm brings together an exceptional lineup of musicians, each with a shared history and a deep connection to the genre. From the first bars, the track exudes warmth and camaraderie, capturing the magic of old friends picking up right where they left off.

“Holm’s deft piano work is both playful and refined, laying the foundation for the rich textures that follow. Markus Howell’s saxophone lines are full of character, weaving through the arrangement with a smooth yet spirited energy that reflects his world class experience. Russell Hall’s bass playing anchors the piece with precision and soul, while Isaiah Weatherspoon’s drumming provides a dynamic pulse that keeps the whole ensemble locked in and alive.

“The interplay between the musicians is where ‘Stomping Grounds’ truly shines. There is an unspoken conversation happening in every bar, a blend of technical mastery and genuine affection for the music and for each other. It is a track that honors tradition while feeling refreshingly present, making it equally appealing to jazz purists and new listeners.

“Max Holm has once again proven his ability to create music that resonates on multiple levels, intellectually, emotionally, and rhythmically.”

Radio Armazem, Brazil review:

“A jazz of old friends with freshness and complicity, celebrating improvisation and the pleasure of playing together.”

Radio X5 Stereo Agemeen, South Africa review:

“*Stomping Grounds* by Max Holm swings with joy and deep-rooted camaraderie. This vibrant jazz cut feels like an old-school jam session—playful, soulful, and masterfully tight. With Grammy-winner Markus Howell and top-tier talents like Russell Hall and Isaiah Weatherspoon, it’s a joyful reunion that grooves with heart and history. A classy, feel-good triumph!”

Max Holm Some Recent Releases and Placements

Impasse – Neo-classical album of music for film trailers

Air on the G String (jazz arrangement) – as heard on Anne Hathaway & Jessica Chastain’s Mothers’ Instinct

Prelude #2 in C Minor (jazz arrangement) – as heard on Anne Hathaway & Jessica Chastain’s Mothers’ Instinct

Walking on Air (solo jazz piano) – as heard on Call Me Kat (Fox TV, Hulu) Season 3, Episode 12, Call Me Ichabod Evel Knievel

Do or Die – Monster Energy Tour Water Sturgis Campaign

Where Ya Wanna Go? (hip hop/rap) – College Hill: Celebrity Edition (BET+) Season 2, Episode 5, Magic City Here We Come

Waves of Time (Mediterranean jazz, solo piano) – as heard on Ireland’s National Public Service Media’s Super Garden, Series 12, Episode 5

Childhood in Valencia (Mediterranean jazz, solo piano) – La Sexta, Spain Live TV news

May in the Balkans (Mediterranean jazz, solo piano) – La Sexta, Spain Live TV news

Somber Yuri (Mediterranean jazz, solo piano) – La Sexta, Spain Live TV news

Somber Yuri (Mediterranean jazz, solo piano) – As heard on Univision’s Aqui y Ahora, Episode 57, “El Experimento”

Childhood in Valencia – as heard on RAI (Radiotelevisione Italiana) Italy TV broadcast

Music credits on Muso.ai

Fact Check

Home Turf: Stockholm, Sweden

Current Location: Edmond, Oklahoma after 23 moves across the US and Europe.

Education:
Berklee College of Music, 2020, Bachelor of Music: Professional Music concentrations in Composition, Production and Performance, Summa Cum Laude, Presidential Scholar.

Master of Music, Jazz Studies, Composition and Performance, University of Central Oklahoma (expected graduation Spring 2027)

Instruments: Piano, Melodica, Voice

Musical Influences: Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Cold Play, Debussy, Bach, Hans Zimmer

Short Biography
Max Holm is a jazz pianist, composer, producer, arranger, author, TED speaker, and educator. He’s performed hundreds of times across the US and Europe, often with renowned jazz musicians, including at jazz festivals, in arenas, famous venues, and smaller places. Max’s music is heard in films, TV, games, videos, multiverses, and advertising around the world. while he’s known for jazz, contemporary classical and jazz fusion, his sync placements (film, TV, ads, games, metaverses) include pop, EDM, hip hop, and children’s music.

Long Biography
Max Holm is a rising jazz pianist, composer, producer, arranger and educator. He attended the Berklee College of Music as one of the elite few Presidential Scholars, and was soon accepted into the prestigious Berklee Global Jazz Institute headed by Danilo Perez (Wayne Shorter).

Max received his Bachelor of Music degree in Professional Music with triple concentrations in performance, composing and production in 2020, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Over the years he’s amassed numerous awards, including 2019 Outstanding Student Jazz Piano Soloist from Downbeat Magazine, Outstanding Jazz Piano Soloist at the Essentially Ellington Competition at Lincoln Center, Honorable Mention in the combined Classical, Contemporary and Jazz Piano category from Yamaha Young Artists Competition, and many more.

Max has had the privilege of studying directly with renowned pianists, including NEA Jazz Master Joanne Brackeen, Danilo Perez, Kenny Werner, and Stefon Harris.

Max has performed hundreds of times across the US and Europe, often with renowned jazz musicians in arenas and famous venues, such as Dizzy’s Club, Blues Alley, and the Stadium of Fire, among many others. With his namesake quartet, he’s performed at several jazz festivals on two continents.

Max’s jazz arrangements and recordings of Bach’s Air on the G String and Prelude #2 in C Minor can be heard on Anne Hathaway’s and Jessica Chastain’s film Mothers’ Instinct. Other recordings are heard on TV and cable networks across the world.

His hard rock composition Do or Die was placed in a recent Monster Energy campaign. Max is known for quick turn-around on custom briefs with high quality. His love and deep knowledge of music theory is evident in his compositions.

Max is a featured performer in eight of nine tracks on the award-winning album The Inside of the Outside with Jeff Coffin, Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Trombone Shorty, Rashawn Ross, et al. On the track called Sweet Magnolias, Max and Jeff Coffin performed a duet.

His song Gran Via from the Don’t Be A Stranger album inspired Chick Corea to tell Max, “You make that piano sound good! Play that chorus again! ”

As a prolific composer, Max (BMI #550359491) has amassed a catalog of music of 200 compositions and counting, several under various aliases. His music publishing company, Max Holm Music, is administered by BMI (#3259680). With his production partner, non-jazz recordings are produced under the names Zamlo & Sqank.

Even at world-renowned Berklee College of Music, Max noticed the difficulty students had with sight-reading. He decided to share the hacks and tips he used to earn over $500,000 in music scholarships in his book Ace Your Sight-Reading Audition!, which has become a favorite of young musicians in the US, UK, Spain, Mexico and Brazil. It is available in English and Spanish. Max launched an accompanying online course, Learn to Sight-Read in as Little as 7 Days, on his music school EasyMusicHacks.com.

As an adjunct professor, Max teaches jazz composition/arranging, and jazz piano to Oklahoma State University students, while also teaching select private students. He adjudicates Texas All-State Jazz Band piano student applicants for the Texas Music Educators Association. Max has also given master classes in the US and Europe. Through adjudication and teaching college students, Max was surprised to find that so many were challenged by rhythm. He began sharing short rhythm practice reels on TikTok and Instagram. A follow-up book based on rhythm tips and tricks will be released in 2026.

Max grew up in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of a American digital nomad mother with a genius IQ and a Swedish writer and classical violinist father. His father, Lars Holger Holm, toured with American Jazz Drummer Max Roach in the early 1980s, and can be heard on “Max Roach’s Double Quartet: Live at Vielharmonie” recorded in Munich, Germany in 1983.

Far from having an idyllic childhood, Max had to overcome many painful experiences. The story of his eventual departure from Sweden despite great adversity is filled with daring scenes and clever strategies.

At the age of 13, Max lost half his blood from 20 ulcers and had a near death experience. 7 blood transfusions from 7 strangers, saved his life and gave him an overwhelming passion for jazz. He gave a TED talk about it.

Max has a deep compassion for the suffering other others, but understands that wisdom comes from how one processes experiences. Music is part of that evolutionary journey for him.

He is passionate about music, history, and philosophy. Max is fluent in English and Swedish, and speaks conversational Spanish. He’s moved 23 times across the US and Europe, so far.

As a dual citizen, Max is authorized to work in both the US and the European Union.