Biography
Max Colley III was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He attended the nationally recognized Northview High School where he won numerous awards including outstanding soloist at the Aquinas College, Central Michigan, Sonny Stitt, and Montreaux-Detroit Jazz Festivals and won the Jimmy Forrest Memorial Scholarship. Max was a member of the 1986/1987 McDonalds All-American Band and Jazz Band. Max received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University. Max has studied with Tim Froncek, Ken Olson, Greg Alley, Daniel Kovats, Dennis Horton, Marcus Belgrave, Rob Smith, Bobby Shew, and Jon Faddis. Max has performed for 3 presidents, many entertainers, and with many internationally acclaimed musicians. In 2014, Max was named Jazz Musician of the Year by the West Michigan Jazz Society. Max has released 5 CD's under his own name. In 2016 Max released “Jubilee” featuring the likes of Jazz Master Jimmy Cobb, Jon Faddis, Marcus Printup, Helen Sung, and many others. Max's latest release is a tribute to his late wife The project takes one on a musical journey through his and his wife's cancer season starting with songs that reflect good times, finding out about the cancer, asking for healing, loss, healing, and moving forward. So many joined with Max on this project including, Bruce Barth, Walter Blanding, The Budapest Scoring Orchestra, Alvin Chea, Chris Crenshaw, Xavier Davis, Randy Napoleon, Marcus and Riza Printup, John Webber, Todd Williams, and many others. Max Served on the Michigan State Board for IAJE. Max is active in the West Michigan jazz scene teaching, giving clinics and workshops, and performing on trumpet and drums. Max has performed with or been a member of the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Bob Taylor’s Mid-Town Horns, The Truth in Jazz Orchestra, The Gull Lake Orchestra, Evidence, Gumbo Nuveau, Grupo Aye, Lisa Sung Trio, The Bluewater Kings, and the Max Colley III Quartet/Quintet. Max was the Jazz Events Coordinator at Michigan State University for 8 years. Max works closely with Byron Center High School Jazz Program and the West Ottawa Jazz Band. Max is currently a self-employed musician and educator and has recently completed a tour of Indonesia with the Lisa Sung Trio.