Max Bessesen

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Saxophonist Max Bessesen’s distinct sound and personal melodies have made him a much sought-after saxophonist in Chicago’s vibrant music community. While Max has varied musical interests including folk, electronic and classical music, his approach is rooted in jazz and united by a love of collaboration and improvisation. His work as a sideman has received accolades from Downbeat, Jazziz and NextBop and his debut album as a bandleader was released in 2020 on Ropeadope Records. In 2016, Max was the first jazz musician awarded a fellowship from the Frank Huntington Beebe Fund, which allowed him to travel for a year across India, Ghana, and Cuba. He has performed and recorded with musicians like Ron Miles, Greg Ward, and Russ Johnson and holds Bachelors of Music from Oberlin Conservatory.