Jazz Music Archives by John Sanders
“This man is an absolute powerhouse on the piano with a highly developed technique in the league of Art Tatum, Eddie Palmieri and the young pre-scientology Chick Corea. I also hear a lot of Ahmad Jamal… Max isn’t just a technician though, there is an abundance of imagination in his solos as he will often rapidly cut from one idea to the next while quickly throwing in perfectly executed jaggedy syncopated Latin rhythms.”
All About Jazz by Edward Blanco
“Whirlwind is a truly engaging musical statement from one of the finest pianists on the planet. The fact that it is a live recording makes it a bit more entertaining as audience participation is an evident appreciation for the performance. Let's hope Max Haymer does not wait another decade before delivering another stunning album.”
“The whirlwind of the title, however, makes landfall in the final track, Love For Sale, with a barrelhouse intro, a sprinting bridge and a Tatumesque tally-ho of choruses at top speed… the audience had been given full measure, with Haymer’s performance first among equals as one of three tigers in the tank.”
In a Blue Mood by Ron Weinstock
“With first-rate support, Haymer showcases not merely his technique but his inventiveness as he moves from delicate segments into spellbinding mixes of chords and arpeggios… Haymer dazzles with the fluidity and crispness of his playing. A rendition of Porter's "Love For Sale" closes this album. Taken at a frenetic tempo, it is a dazzling, virtuoso performance with a Schnelle also taking a strong drum solo. It is a coda on a superb jazz piano recording.”
“Haymer treats his arrangements as a dramatic form of art, where restlessness and lyricism are expressed in a narrative framework. The tracks embody a series of stories channeled through music and shared with the listener”
“A record that is executed so seamlessly you’ll actually forget it’s live until you hear the audience clapping, Haymer and company deliver the perfect album for those who miss live music (this was recorded before the pandemic), where passion, some tension and power enter the modern and traditional jazz sensibilities.”
Musical Memoirs by Dee Dee McNeil
“A delightful album of trio jazz that features the composer skills and piano genius of Max Haymer. Haymer is quite lyrical in his approach to playing and composing. He develops his melodies with care and compassion, introducing them to us note by note. When he stretches out, his technique develops in a tenacious way with crescendos of energy and climatic, power-driven chords.”
“A passionate and dramatic pianist who finger paints vivid pictures with his musically inclined hands. His creativity radiates bright colors that help express the energy and excitement he transmits through his piano instrument and within his well-written compositions.”