Max Gerl Releases Debut Album, “Tbilisi”

Max Gerl: TbilisiBassist Max Gerl has been playing along some of the most exciting band leaders in jazz today, and now he’s stepping out front. He’s just released his debut album, Tbilisi, which features his work on both electric and double bass. It’s named after one of his favorite cities.

“The record is titled ‘Tbilisi’ after the capital city of the eastern European country, Georgia”, says Gerl. “I have played with Georgian musicians in Tbilisi a number of times since 2015, most notably pianist Beka Gochiashvili. I’ve grown to love Tbilisi for its people and culture.”

The opening title-track includes an extended and inspired electric bass solo by Gerl. The subsequent track has him on double bass in a more straight-ahead composition, “If It Happened to Me,” followed by the Coltrane-inspired and cosmic/avant-garde “Suntrip.” The closing track, “Counter,” includes some unison melody lines and a bass solo accented with pitch shifting for a fusion sound.

There are few bassists who can really shine on both the electric and double bass. One of those people is Stanley Clarke, so we’ll take it from him in his liner notes for the record. “When I first heard Maximilian, I was impressed with his steadiness, along with his outstanding technique and dexterity on both instruments, which he uses to make next-level music,” he writes. “On this recording, he displays himself how one should, as an artistically driven bass player. His album is full of well-written music.”

Check out the title track, “Tbilisi”:

Tbilisi is available now as a digital download via iTunes, Amazon MP3, and Bandcamp.

Tbilisi Track List:

  1. Tbilisi
  2. If It Happened To Me
  3. Suntrip
  4. Counter

Get daily bass updates.

Get the latest news, videos, lessons, and more in your inbox every morning.

Share your thoughts