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Polynesian bass player Max Stowers, born in Auckland, of Samoan and Maori heritage is following in the footsteps of his talented family, Great Aunt Mavis Rivers, father Jazz Pianist John Stowers, uncle drummer Herbie Stowers and cousin Tina Cross. Max's grandmother was a first cousin to Mavis and his mother a sister to Tina Cross's mother. His father from the Island of Savaii and is mother from Ahipara in the upper North Island of New Zealand.
Max grew up in South Auckland. He began his professional career in music at the age of 13 playing guitar with his father Jazz Pianist John Stowers, his mother June on vocals, Kim Paterson on drums and Chuck Morgan on bass guitar. They gigged weekly at the El Trouvadour Restaurant creating a solid foundation for Max to launch his career from.
At the age of 15 Max changed to bass guitar playing weekly at the Fishermans Wharf with his parents and uncle Herbie Stowers on drums.
At 18 Max joined a covers band with Josie Rika on vocals, Don Roberts on keyboards and Bruno Behrens on drums playing at a club in downtown Auckland and after about 6 months, went on to join band Spirit with Moses Dawson on lead vocals, Mike Abbott on drums and Craig "Poly" Bowen on keyboards, playing 3 nights a week at "Oscars Nite Club" in the Queens Arcade, Auckland.
Max played regularly with many different bands around town and was soon in demand.
As a versatile and dynamic bass player, Max played everything from Jazz/Funk, Latin, to Pop, Country and Rock music. He worked in various music scenes in the industry, playing for television, radio, film, concerts, floor shows and various albums and toured around Australia with various artists.
Experiencing as much as there was to offer as a gigging bass player, a natural progression for Max was to write and produce his own music and sound.
In May 2002 Max completed recording his own originals, integrating Jazz, Funk, Latin & Hip Hop with a Polynesian vibe. Featuring the bass as a melodic and solo instrument, with two basses being played on most tracks. One keeping the groove and the other playing melody lines.
The album is energetic and fresh. On the edge & innovative.
If you are a bass enthusiast you will dig this album.
The album was released in October, 2002. Max hopes to continue to write and record his own original music and develop a sound that combines his Polynesian culture and various music styles that have influenced his life, predominately Jazz and Funk.
Also what is important to Max is family and finding a balance between family and his passion for music.
He hopes to encourage and support up and coming young musicians and to continue to help develop the exciting future of Pacific Music.
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