I had a nice get away weekend in Pittsburgh to see the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra thanks to my friend Neil King. In many respects Neil and I have lived parallel lives never knowing it while it was happening but finding out years later. We went record shopping of course, then went and found 2 of the 3 burial sites we were looking for. Erroll Garner and Mary Lou Williams. Couldn't find Stanley Turrentine. We were close. I will say all 3 cemetery's even with maps were pretty hard to follow and they were big. While record shopping found my friend Cary Kocher's album. It was nice to meet Mike Tomaro as I have played so many of his fine arrangements. Also met drum legend Roger Humphries. Clayton Hamilton Band was incredible as always. Beautiful travel weather and still some colors left. Thank you Lord for your travel blessings, incredible friends, and great music!

Dad's celebration of life was last Sunday. Thank you all for coming out and the literally hundreds of messages, phone calls, texts, emails, ..... There will never be a question that I and my family are deeply loved by so many from so many different families across the world. 

My Dad's life touched so many and I'm moved by all the testimonials. Thank you a million times over. 

I think Dad would have been happy with the service (seeing as I was just doing what he said to do). He had a central theme of grace, something through this process, I was forced to confront that I needed more of that to give to others, as I have been given. 

In the past few months I have lost 2 women I called Mom, I have lost 2 classmates, I have lost 1 former student, 1 friend, 1 spouse of a friend, and now my father. In addition to my wife and cat in the last 3 years. 

There is no doubt that amount of loss in a short period of time creates a certain perspective on the remaining days I have on earth. Certain things are just not that important any more and others things take front and center. 

The only thing that matters and my reason for being is to reflect the love of Jesus. It is why I was created. Everything else is the way God helps us do that. Some days I do that much better than others. 

All of this loss solidifies what the Bible says In Ephesians 6:12 our battle is not against flesh and blood but spirits. Psalm 116:15 says precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servant. 

There is nothing like death to solidify the fact that we are spirits housed in these bodies. In the matter of seconds the person you are talking to is no longer there despite you still holding their hand. The reality that you were dealing with a persons spirit the whole time becomes very real. 

While Jesus never forces Himself on anyone, He has laid the groundwork for entry to Heaven. It's quite simple. Accept we were born in sin and we needed the work of the cross and resurrection. That's it. the Bible is pretty clear we can't work our way into heaven. I think of the other guy on the cross who was actually being crucified for bad stuff he had done and asks Jesus for repentance and Jesus tells him there will be a place for him in heaven. 

Jesus is the ultimate lover. True love is never forced. Jesus wants everyone to go to heaven but leaves the decision up to you. I often hear people say how could a good God send someone to hell. The answer is he doesn't. we do ourselves. I relate it to when I was teaching. I laid out the groundwork for how a student was to achieve their grade in class. A parent would say why did you fail my kid in band. I would say I didn't, they failed themselves. They needed to show up to the concert and they didn't. Jesus died on a cross so you would not have to go to hell. You just have to accept it and He gives you the freedom to not do that, but consequences. 

I say all this because of the great hope and peace I have for my loved ones and who this post is about my Dad. It was hard to watch him in so much pain. He was in pain his whole life and fought hard until the last few hours. The last week was so bad and I cannot be sad knowing the reality of the much cliched phrase, he is in a better place. That is not just something to say to make us left behind feel better, but in this case is the true reality. Heaven is as real to me right now as the lions win last Monday night. (had to get that win there lol) 

I would be remiss if I did not continue to tell the good news of Jesus in a very fallen world. Time is a very interesting thing. As a musician it is crucial how we play with time. As a drummer I"m on top of time, as a lead trumpeter I'm behind the beat or time. Time is relative. to live 100 years on this earth in this body seems forever but in the truest sense of eternity it's nothing. 

I want to honor my Father and Heavenly Father by once again not preaching or do it because I do it, but wanting everyone to think about the speck of sand this life is on a beach as this life is that in light of eternity. Do you have peace about that? 

the Bible is amazing if you dig in. To see Jesus was predicted back in the old testament. I remember when I found out about Abraham and Isaac and how that was a foretelling of God and Jesus. The validity of the Bible only continues to be proven. Going to Israel was one of the most important trips I've ever taken. So if so much continues to be proven in the Bible, you have to apply that to what it says about eternity about Heaven and hell. 

If you were inspired by my Dad, think of what inspired him, his relationship with Jesus. No doubt there are really bad examples and I'm sure hurt from people like myself who call themselves Christians, but look to Jesus as your example. 

Thank you to all who were involved with the celebration for my Dad. Every person that took part was so special with your contribution and every person that attended in person or online, it meant the world to me. Thank you! 

These pictures are who I did get documented with. There were so many others I didn't see, or didn't get a picture with. Sorry! It was great to chat with each individual. I'm sorry I couldn't give everyone the quality time I was looking to give. Had to go for quantity. The sunset was on the way home after which I thought was beautiful, then if you heard Kevin talk about the Eagle, I had that moment the next day so I had to include. 

Here is the service if you missed it. Followed by a piece I recorded after my wife was promoted to Heaven that still brings me comfort and I thank God for that. I need it! I hope it does the same for you. 

Love, Blessings, & Swing! 
​Max III

I got a last minute call from Dr. Sawyer to fill in for my former student Nate Vanderwerf. (feel better Nate). Had a good time and was nice to meet guest artist Nadje Noordhuis! 

Muskegon, Kentwood, and Holland

It was nice to hang with my hero and friend Jon Faddis for the day. I was unable to go to the concert having a gig to play so I was happy to be able to hear a preview. It was also nice to meet Ashlin Parker who I have admired from afar. Thanks to my WMU family for letting me hang and of course any time I get to see Elijah, it's a good day! 

One of the great musicians of our time Mr. Sean Jones made his way to Byron with the annual side by side concert with MSU. Sean is a dear brother and he has been so encouraging and inspiring to me and is always great to hear and see him. Also great to see my friend Jeff Cousins! Good to be with my MSU and Byron Families. 

One of the great honors of my life was being awarded Musician of the Year by the West Michigan Jazz Society. The award just celebrated 25 years and as many recipients that could make it, attended a banquet to be honored at a very cool venue, the Ridley Estate. I am still humbled to belong to this class of really heroes of mine growing up and learned so much from. We have a special community. I was going to be attending with both my dad and my other dad Tim Froncek. They were both going to come in with matching walkers. LOL I still attended with Pops Froncek, and the Society honored my father with a candle in his memory. I also included some pictures from my banquet back in 2014. Thank you for all you do WMJS!

May be a lot of doubles in here lol