About the Composer

Max Bessesen is an award-winning saxophonist, composer and multi-woodwind instrumentalist living in NYC. His warm sound and “saxophone virtuosity” (Downbeat) has helped him perform in bands led by Miguel Zenón, Mimi Jones, and Darcy James Argue among others. He has performed on four continents and in New York venues like Dizzy’s Club, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem and The Jazz Gallery.

Max’s newest recording Feet Don’t Change releases on April 9th, 2027. One of the pieces on this album was awarded a David Baker Prize and premiered at the 2026 Ravinia Festival. Max has also received awards from Chamber Music America, ASCAP and many others.

About the Project

“Feet Don’t Change” is a joyful jazz work for octet that celebrates what all Americans have in common during a period of historic divisiveness. When I lived in Ghana in 2017, I was deeply moved by the connections between West African and American cultures and felt inspired to compose this body of work which is rooted in jazz but also heavily inspired by 19th and 20th-century European classical and Ghanaian traditional music. By placing these styles alongside one another, I highlight their commonalities and explore my place as a White man performing Black American music.

Experiencing Black American music deepens our collective resilience, cooperation, and vulnerability, the very skills we need to face our social, political and economic troubles. While no one person or performance can tackle the enormity of our country’s problems I feel confident that real progress comes from a series of resolute steps, taken together. By celebrating our common identity and values we can walk the path towards a more equitable future with shared purpose. On this long march the Feet Don’t Change.

Max Bessesen - alto and soprano saxophones, flute, composer

Josh Henderson - violin I

Sunjay Jayaram - violin II

Kayla Williams - viola

Raffi Boden - cello

Evan Main - piano

Simón Willson - acoustic bass

Mike Piolet - drum set