Guitar
Rock, blues, country, folk, funk, neo-soul, bluegrass… pretty much most styles (minus classical and very high level jazz). Proficient with a slide and knowledgeable when it comes to pedals, tone, gear, etc. Has a detailed comprehension of modern music history in all of the genres listed above.
Max Berg is a guitarist based in Chicago, Illinois. Originally from Chicago, Max began taking guitar lessons at age 9 before moving to New Jersey the following year. His first ever performance was at the legendary Fitzgerald’s in Berwyn. As a child he played dozens of shows with the School of Rock in Long Valley, New Jersey, sharpening his skills as a rhythm guitarist and vocalist. In high school Max was a member of the Bernards High School Jazz Band as well as the Bernards Jazz Quartet, and even once traded solos with saxophonist Walt Weiskopf (touring member of Steely Dan) during a concert. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2020, he moved back to the city to begin a career as a professional musician and teaching artist. Max is overjoyed to be teaching at the Old Town School of Folk Music, as he attended Wiggleworms classes over two decades ago as a toddler!
A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Max plays regularly around town with Chicago alt-country outfit Holy Joke, twang rockers Dogcatcher, and indie rock band Disaster Kid. In addition he has also collaborated and done recording work for a number of local artists such as Hannah Frey, Mid-American Elevator, Janet Blackwell, and Universal Automation. The Chicago Reader called his pedal steel work on Holy Joke’s self-titled EP “heartstring plucking” and “so taut with yearning that it could explode at any second,” in a profile of the band’s most recent release.
When not teaching or playing gigs Max enjoys spending time with friends and family, lingering in the Old Town School Music Store, dog-sitting his friend’s golden retriever Billie, and watching the Cubs, the Bears, and the Badgers!
Started at the Old Town School in August of 2021
