Max Johnson: Music for Eight

Wednesday, March 2, 20228:00 pm
  • Proof of vaccination will be required to attend this performance in person. Learn more.
  • A live stream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing.
  • Please support Roulette this season. Donate.
2022 Roulette Resident Artist

For the first of his two concerts in residence at Roulette, composer/bassist Max Johnson will be presenting an evening of new music for improvising octet featuring a slew of New York’s best performers. Combining his experience as a composer of chamber music and his work as a jazz bassist, Johnson has composed a series of pieces exploring different orchestrations, concepts, and ways of music making, while highlighting the individual voices of the fantastic ensemble of performers.

Nate Wooley: trumpet
Ken Thomson: alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Anna Webber: tenor saxophone, flute
Joanna Mattrey: viola
Aliya Ultan: cello
Liberty Ellman: electric guitar
Max Johnson: bass
Mike Pride: drumset


Described as “an intrepid composer, architect of sound and beast of the bass…” (Brad Cohan, NYC Jazz Record) composer, bassist, and improviser Max Johnson creates complex worlds of sound, challenging his listeners to engage deeply and be rewarded with an experience always crafted with love, care, and clarity. With nine albums and over two thousand concerts internationally with artists like Ingrid Laubrock, Anthony Braxton, Mary Halvorson, David Grisman, Tyshawn Sorey, Henry Grimes, Sam Bush, John Zorn, Nels Cline, and Mivos Quartet, Johnson brings a wild energy and excitement. He has been commissioned by the Jerome Foundation, Society of Composers Inc, Steven R. Gerber Trust, University of Glasgow; been featured on over fifty albums; and can be heard in Spike Lee’s Academy Award winning film, The BlacKkKlansman. Johnson currently teaches at Brooklyn College, and is the father to a beautiful chihuahua named Gabby.


Max Johnson: Music for Eight is developed as part of Johnson’s Roulette 2022 Residency, made possible with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation. This performance is presented through Roulette’s GENERATE program, providing over 30 artists each year with in-depth creative and technical support.
Photo: Aidan Grant

Max Johnson: Music for Eight

Wednesday, March 2, 20228:00 pm
  • Proof of vaccination will be required to attend this performance in person. Learn more.
  • A live stream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing.
  • Please support Roulette this season. Donate.
2022 Roulette Resident Artist

For the first of his two concerts in residence at Roulette, composer/bassist Max Johnson will be presenting an evening of new music for improvising octet featuring a slew of New York’s best performers. Combining his experience as a composer of chamber music and his work as a jazz bassist, Johnson has composed a series of pieces exploring different orchestrations, concepts, and ways of music making, while highlighting the individual voices of the fantastic ensemble of performers.

Nate Wooley: trumpet
Ken Thomson: alto saxophone, bass clarinet
Anna Webber: tenor saxophone, flute
Joanna Mattrey: viola
Aliya Ultan: cello
Liberty Ellman: electric guitar
Max Johnson: bass
Mike Pride: drumset


Described as “an intrepid composer, architect of sound and beast of the bass…” (Brad Cohan, NYC Jazz Record) composer, bassist, and improviser Max Johnson creates complex worlds of sound, challenging his listeners to engage deeply and be rewarded with an experience always crafted with love, care, and clarity. With nine albums and over two thousand concerts internationally with artists like Ingrid Laubrock, Anthony Braxton, Mary Halvorson, David Grisman, Tyshawn Sorey, Henry Grimes, Sam Bush, John Zorn, Nels Cline, and Mivos Quartet, Johnson brings a wild energy and excitement. He has been commissioned by the Jerome Foundation, Society of Composers Inc, Steven R. Gerber Trust, University of Glasgow; been featured on over fifty albums; and can be heard in Spike Lee’s Academy Award winning film, The BlacKkKlansman. Johnson currently teaches at Brooklyn College, and is the father to a beautiful chihuahua named Gabby.


Max Johnson: Music for Eight is developed as part of Johnson’s Roulette 2022 Residency, made possible with funds provided by the Jerome Foundation. This performance is presented through Roulette’s GENERATE program, providing over 30 artists each year with in-depth creative and technical support.
Photo: Aidan Grant