Northeast Ohio based musician Max Schlenk is an emerging saxophonist with influences ranging from John Coltrane to Earth Wind and Fire. His goal with his original music project is to create an exciting performance with a message for everyone that transcends genre, with a slice of humor mixed in between. 

Max attended Shaker Heights High School, where he studied under professional musicians Ken Leegrand and Chris Burge. After being accepted into Oberlin Conservatory, he studied with saxophonist Gary Bartz and was a featured performer in St. Thomas at the 2020 JEN (Jazz Education Network) convention. 

After living in NYC for a brief time in 2023, he now works as a full-time freelance artist, teaching at The Music Settlement as a J@MS faculty member and as a private music instructor around the NEO area. 

In just the last few years, Max has played with many of the well established names in the Cleveland area such as Hubb’s Groove, Band with No Name, Qualified, Apostle Jones, and Nathan Paul. Additionally, he has played at several festivals in the area including the Hingetown Jazz Fest in Ohio City, and The Rubber City Jazz Fest in Akron. He frequently plays at the Bop Stop, Blu Jazz, and several other notable venues under his own name, and as a sideman.

His next plans are to record and release his debut album in March of 2027, featuring all original music, recorded at Suma Recording Studio.